Vermicomposting; a potential technology, facilitating sustainable textile waste management

Abstract

Industrialization and rapid urbanization have led to massive waste development worldwide. Especially, textile waste is a global concern, due to its increased chemical components, dyes, fiber materials, and microplastics. Currently, landfills, incineration, hydrolysis, etc., are implemented to degrade these materials; however, the complete removal of toxicity and utmost degradation still needs to be met. Yet, those technologies remain cost-consuming and detrimental to the environment, causing ill effects toward the flora and fauna of the Earth. Thus, vermicomposting is found to be the most effective and renowned technology for the degradation of textile waste. Vermicomposting is an organic method that bioremediates proficiently, by the interactions between earthworms and microbes, and facilitates the textile degradation in an eco-friendly manner. This, review intensely discusses the potential of degrading textile waste through vermicomposting. It further, dwells into the amendments, particularly cow dung, their importance and efficacy with regard to their physiochemical and biological parameters. The current review provides a decision-making approach in treating different textile wastes, highlighting their pros and cons, and suggesting future recommendations.