An ignored potential microplastic contamination of a typical waste glass recycling base

The service life of glass is limited, leading to a large amount of waste glass generated. The waste glass recycling base, as an essential municipal supporting facility of a sustainable city, has a significant impact on the surrounding ecological environment. This study conducted a comprehensive investigation and analysis of the potential pollutants in a large waste glass terminal recycling base. It was found that the waste glass treatment process may produce various pollutants such as particulate matter, heavy metals and so on, which might cause pollution to surrounding areas. Microplastics (MPs) of particulate matter, which were widely distribute in the study area, had high abundance and interact with heavy metals. Its release is related with different treatment processes. MPs were found in all sampling sites, a total of 59 polymer types were identified. The relationship between MPs and process characteristics is mainly reflected on the polymer types. The crushing and screening process are more likely to produce Acrylic, while the label-eliminate process is more likely to produce PMMA. It was estimated that the annual load of MPs in the waste glass recycling site is about 3.211 tons. [Display omitted] •Microplastics are widely distributed in waste glass recycling base.•Microplastics in dust and soil media can interact with heavy metals.•The polymer types of microplastics emitted are related to the recycling process.•The estimated annual microplastic load is about 3.211 tons.