Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) retain about 90% of microplastics (MPs) in sewage sludge, complicating its reuse through anaerobic digestion (AD). Among these, polycarbonate (PC) is of particular concern due to its potential to release Bisphenol A (BPA), a toxic monomer.

While AD is a sustainable method to treat sludge and produce biogas, its efficiency is limited by the complex structure of the sludge. Disintegration methods are used to break down sludge structure, enhance biogas production, and improve overall AD performance. However, their impact on MPs and chemical leaching is not well understood.

This project investigates how MPs and disintegration methods influence sludge solubilization, BPA leaching from PC MPs, and methane production, as well as changes in the physical and chemical properties of the MPs.

The project started on January 1st, 2025, and is currently ongoing.