Removal of Microplastics from Wastewater Treatment Plants: Strategies, Efficiency, and Future Prospects

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have emerged as pervasive contaminants in wastewater, largely originating from consumer products and urban sewage systems. Nevertheless, MPs continue to be released into the environment through treated effluent and land-applied sludge, highlighting the need for enhanced treatment strategies. Despite this, studies report over 90% removal efficiency across primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment stages, and when combined with pretreatment steps, even higher removal rates can be achieved. This chapter consolidates current knowledge on the occurrence, fate, removal technologies, and research gaps related to MPs, aiming to support the development of improved wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) designs, policy interventions, and standardized methodologies to mitigate MP pollution.