In the discourse surrounding environmental pollution, textile waste is frequently acknowledged as a growing concern. However, within this domain lies a far more elusive threat: the release of microfibres from discarded textiles during landfill decomposition and incineration. These microscopic fibres, largely synthetic in origin, are a significant but under-examined form of pollution, posing risks not only to ecosystems but also to public health and global resource systems.

Microfibres are tiny threads, less than 5 millimetres in length, most commonly derived from synthetic materials such as polyester, acrylic, and nylon. While recent attention has highlighted their emission through laundering, far less scrutiny has been applied to the continued shedding of microfibres once textiles are disposed of, whether buried in landfills or subjected to incineration. This oversight has allowed a major source of micro plastic pollution to persist virtually unaddressed.

When synthetic textiles are buried in landfills, they do not simply lie inert. These materials undergo a slow process of physical and chemical degradation over time, often aided by mechanical compression, UV radiation, and microbial activity. Unlike natural fibres that may decompose more readily, synthetic fibres fragment rather than biodegrade, releasing microfibres into surrounding environments.

One of the most concerning pathways for microfibre dispersion from landfills is through leachate, the liquid that percolates through waste and carries with it dissolved and suspended contaminants. Microfibres, due to their small size and resilience, are easily mobilised by this leachate, eventually infiltrating surrounding soil and groundwater systems. From there, they may enter agricultural lands, aquatic habitats, and even human drinking water sources, contributing to a growing global crisis of micro plastic contamination.

The biological consequences are already being observed. Soil-dwelling organisms have been found to ingest micro plastics, potentially altering nutrient cycles and soil structure. In aquatic environments, microfibres can be consumed by plankton, fish, and other species, with bioaccumulation cascading through entire food webs. Despite this, few landfill management strategies currently address microfibre containment or filtration, and regulatory oversight remains limited or nonexistent in many jurisdictions.

Textile incineration is often presented as a pragmatic alternative to landfilling, reducing waste volume while generating energy. However, when synthetic fabrics are incinerated, they can release not only harmful gases but also airborne microfibres. These fibres, carried by thermal currents, may settle in nearby environments or remain suspended in the atmosphere, contributing to fine particulate matter.

Airborne micro plastics, including fibres, are an emerging field of study, and early research suggests potential respiratory impacts, especially in vulnerable populations living near incineration facilities. Once inhaled, these fibres can lodge in lung tissue, triggering inflammatory responses or acting as vectors for toxic chemical compounds adhered to their surfaces. Yet, despite these risks, the release of microfibres through combustion remains a scarcely monitored form of pollution, overshadowed by more established concerns such as carbon emissions and dioxins.

What makes microfibre pollution particularly insidious is its invisibility. Unlike plastic bottles or bags that accumulate in oceans and landscapes, microfibres are imperceptible to the naked eye and difficult to trace to their source. This invisibility often translates into inaction, as their full ecological impact unfolds quietly over time.

To address this, greater scientific and policy attention must be directed toward microfibre emissions from textile disposal processes. Environmental monitoring should include the tracking of micro plastic content in landfill leachate and incinerator emissions. Additionally, textile manufacturers and waste management authorities should collaborate on developing containment technologies, filtration systems, and biodegradable alternatives that minimise long-term environmental release.

The journey of a garment does not end with its disposal. In landfills and incinerators across the world, textiles continue to shed microfibres, silent, persistent pollutants that transcend borders and boundaries. These microscopic threads, barely visible and easily overlooked, are a potent reminder that pollution is not always immediately perceptible. As science begins to illuminate the scale and significance of microfibre contamination from waste management practices, it becomes increasingly clear that solutions must be systemic, multidisciplinary, and proactive. Only then can we begin to mitigate the silent but sweeping consequences of textile waste in its final stages.