MICROFIBRE Workshop 2018: The fate of microfibre pollution from textiles

The MILJØFORSK support research project Microfibre (no. 268404) (https://www.forskningsradet.no/prosjektbanken/#/project/NFR/268404/Sprak=null) aims to understand the environmental behaviour and impacts of microplastic fibres (MPFs) in order to develop a decision support framework that enables garment manufacturers to make environmentally informed choices in their material selection. At the end of the first year of the project the partners have Identified a need to build further knowledge on the other processes that effect the fate of a microfibre such as materials choice and production and specifically group who are not already represented in the project; laundry and waste water treatment plants. The target group for this workshop will there for be stake holders along the entire lifecycle of a microfibre. The first half of the workshop will be a knowledge sharing session with speakers whom are experts in their fields. The second half will be a mitigation workshop where the partners will be divided into groups to sketch out discuss possible solutions. By joining together groups across disciplines we hope to get a better understanding of the frameworks and considerations that we must work within whilst developing solutions. For example it is important for a textile producer to understand the limitations that apply at a municipal waste water treatment level and visa versa. The the end of the workshop we aim to have • A further common understanding of the factors effecting microfibre pollution release to the environment • A mapping of possible mitigation actions from production stages to waterways.