Currently, due to the rapid growth of urbanization and industrialization in developing countries, a large volume of wastewater is produced from industries that contain chemicals generating high environmental risks affecting human health and the economy if not treated properly. Consequently, the development of a sustainable low-cost wastewater treatment approach has attracted more attention of policymakers and scientists. The present review highlights the recent applications of biochar in removing organic and inorganic pollutants present in industrial effluents. The recent modes of preparation, physicochemical properties and adsorption mechanisms of biochar in removing organic and inorganic industrial pollutants are also reviewed comprehensively. Biochar showed high adsorption of industrial dyes up to 80%. It also discusses the recent application and mechanism of biochar-supported photocatalytic materials for the degradation of organic contaminants in wastewater. We reviewed also the possible optimizations (such as the pyrolysis temperature, solution pH) allowing the increase of the adsorption capabilities of biochar leading to organic contaminants removal. Besides, increasing the pyrolysis temperature of the biochar was seen to lead to an increase in its surface area, while it decreases their amount of oxygen-containing functional groups, consequently leading to a decrease in the adsorption of metal (loid) ions present in the medium. Finally, the review suggests that more research should be carried out to optimize the main parameters involved in biochar production and its regeneration methods. Future efforts should be also carried out towards process engineering to improve its adsorption capacity to increase the economic benefits of its implementation.

Due to increasing anthropogenic activities, especially industry and transport, the fossil fuel demand and consumption have increased proportionally, causing serious environmental issues. This attracted researchers and scientists to develop new alternative energy sources. Therefore, this review covers the biofuel production potential and challenges related to various feedstocks and advances in process technologies. It has been concluded that the biofuels such as biodiesel, ethanol, bio-oil, syngas, Fischer-Tropsch H2, and methane produced from crop plant residues, micro- and macroalgae and other biomass wastes using thermo-bio-chemical processes are an eco-friendly route for an energy source. Biofuels production and their uses in industries and transportation considerably minimize fossil fuel dependence. Literature analysis showed that biofuels generated from energy crops and microalgae could be the most efficient and attractive process. Recent progress in the field of biofuels using genetic engineering has larger perspectives in commercial-scale production. However, its large-scale production is still challenging; hence, to resolve this problem, it is essential to convert biomass in biofuels by developing novel technology to increase biofuel production to fulfil the current and future energy demand.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) can pose a threat to public health if it is not safely managed. Despite prior research, uncertainties remain and refurbished evidence is needed along with new approaches. We conducted a systematic review of recently published literature to update and expand the epidemiological evidence on the association between MSW management practices and resident populations’ health risks. Studies published from January 2005 to January 2020 were searched and reviewed following PRISMA guidelines. Eligible MSW treatment or disposal sites were defined as landfills, dumpsites, incinerators, waste open burning, transfer stations, recycling sites, composting plants, and anaerobic digesters. Occupational risks were not assessed. Health effects investigated included mortality, adverse birth and neonatal outcomes, cancer, respiratory conditions, gastroenteritis, vector-borne diseases, mental health conditions, and cardiovascular diseases. Studies reporting on human biomonitoring for exposure were eligible as well. Twenty-nine studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria of our protocol, assessing health effects only associated with proximity to landfills, incinerators, and dumpsites/open burning sites. There was some evidence of an increased risk of adverse birth and neonatal outcomes for residents near each type of MSW site. There was also some evidence of an increased risk of mortality, respiratory diseases, and negative mental health effects associated with residing near landfills. Additionally, there was some evidence of increased risk of mortality associated with residing near incinerators. However, in many cases, the evidence was inadequate to establish a strong relationship between a specific exposure and outcomes, and the studies rarely assessed new generation technologies. Evidence gaps remain, and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs) are used as raw materials in many industries and primary energy sources. However, excessive PHs act as soil pollutants, posing serious threats to living organisms. Various ex-situ or in-situ chemical and biological methods are applied to restore polluted soil. However, most of the chemical treatment methods are expensive, environmentally unfriendly, and sometimes inefficient. That attracts scientists and researchers to develop and select new strategists to remediate polluted soil through risk-based analysis and eco-friendly manner. This review discusses the sources of PHs, properties, distribution, transport, and fate in the environment, internal and external factors affecting the soil remediation and restoration process, and its effective re-utilization for agriculture. Bioremediation is an eco-friendly method for degrading PHs, specifically by using microorganisms. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are being used to monitor contaminated sites. Currently, these new technologies have caused a paradigm shift by giving new insights into the microbially mediated biodegradation processes by targeting rRNA are discussed concisely. The recent development of risk-based management for soil contamination and its challenges and future perspectives are also discussed. Furthermore, nanotechnology seems very promising for effective soil remediation, but its success depends on its cost-effectiveness. This review paper suggests using bio-electrochemical systems that utilize electro-chemically active microorganisms to remediate and restore polluted soil with PHs that would be eco-friendlier and help tailor-made effective and sustainable remediation technologies.

Given rising spend on the provision of healthcare services, the sustainable management of waste from healthcare facilities is increasingly becoming a focus as a means of reducing public health risks and financial costs. Using data on per capita healthcare spend at the national level, as well as a case study of a hospital in Italy, this study examined the relationship between trends in waste generation and the associated costs of managing the waste. At the national level, healthcare spend as a percentage of gross domestic product positively correlated with waste arisings. At the site level, waste generation and type were linked to department type and clinical performance, with the top three highest generating departments of hazardous healthcare waste being anaesthetics (5.96 kg day^-1 bed^-1), paediatric and intensive care (3.37 kg day^-1 bed^-1) and gastroenterology-digestive endoscopy (3.09 kg day^-1 bed^-1). Annual overall waste management costs were $US5,079,191, or approximately $US2.36 kg^-1, with the management of the hazardous fraction of the waste being highest at $US3,707,939. In Italy, reduction in both waste arisings and the associated costs could be realised through various means, including improved waste segregation, and linking the TARI tax to waste generation.