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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

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Mechanically Recycled Textiles: A Source of Microplastic Fiber Emissions.

Maria Persson¹, Juliana Aristéia de Lima^2,3, Nawar Kadi¹

¹The Swedish School of Textiles, Faculty of Textiles, Engineering and Business, University of Borås, Borås 501 90, Sweden.

Environmental Science & Technology

|January 7, 2026

Summary

Mechanical recycling of polyester textiles increases microplastic fiber shedding with each cycle. Fabrics recycled multiple times release significantly more fibers, highlighting environmental trade-offs in textile circularity.

Keywords:

dry shedding fiber fragmentation mechanical recycling microplastic microplastic fiber textile durability wear simulation

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Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Materials Science
Textile Engineering

Background:

Textile industry faces increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices.
Mechanical recycling is a key strategy for textile circularity.
Microplastic fiber (MPF) shedding from textiles is an emerging environmental concern.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantify microplastic fiber release from mechanically recycled polyester fabrics.
To investigate the impact of multiple recycling cycles on MPF shedding.
To compare MPF release under different testing conditions (wear vs. laundering).

Main Methods:

Tested fabrics with 30% recycled polyester (rPES) subjected to 1, 2, or 3 cycles.
Assessed MPF shedding using Martindale, ICI Pilling Box, and ISO 4484-1:2023 protocols.
Evaluated shedding under simulated wear (dry abrasion) and laundering (wet) conditions.

Main Results:

MPF release increased significantly with recycling cycles: rPES-2 (4.3-fold) and rPES-3 (6.2-fold) vs. virgin polyester (PES).
Once-recycled rPES-1 showed minimal increase in shedding compared to PES during laundering.
Dry abrasion tests revealed different shedding patterns than wet (laundering) tests, indicating limitations in current assessments.

Conclusions:

Repeated mechanical recycling progressively degrades polyester fibers, increasing MPF shedding.
Current wet-state focused shedding assessments may underestimate environmental impact.
Standardized dry-state testing and improved recycling processes are crucial for mitigating MPF emissions in circular textile systems.