Selective Biodegradation of Fibre Blended Textiles

Project Summary

Globally, an increase in the volume of textiles disposed to landfill produces an estimated 92 M tonnes of waste per year. The UK alone produces 206,456 tonnes/year of textile waste, of which 75% is sent to landfill and 25% is recycled, reused or incinerated. Synthetic and fibre blended textiles are designed with durable properties and their use has increased in recent years. Due to their durability, synthetic and fibre blends are recalcitrant and form microfibres in the environment. This interdisciplinary research aimed to evaluate the selective biodegradation of designed, knitted, fibre blended textiles in soil and compost microcosms, addressing whether the breakdown of fibre blended textiles could be enhanced through routes of circular biodegradation to reduce the volume of textiles to landfill. 

Investigators

Dr Bruna M. Dell’Agnese (Microbial Ecology, Northumbria University); Dr Jane Scott (Design & Textile Technology, Newcastle University); Dr Angela Sherry (Microbial Environments, Northumbria University). 

Funder

Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (HBBE), Northumbria University & Newcastle University, and the BioFutures Interdisciplinary Research Theme, Northumbria University. 

Project duration

Jan – July 2024