Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a family of highly toxic emerging contaminants that have caught the attention of both the public and private sectors due to their adverse health impacts on society. The scientific community has been laboriously working on two fronts: (1) adapting already existing and effective technologies in destroying organic contaminants for PFAS remediation and (2) developing new technologies to remediate PFAS. A common characteristic in both areas is the separation/removal of PFASs from other contaminants or media, followed by destruction. The widely adopted separation technologies can remove PFASs from being in contact with humans; however, they remain in the environment and continue to pose health risks. On the other hand, the destructive technologies discussed here can effectively destroy PFAS compounds and fully address society’s urgent need to remediate this harmful family of chemical compounds. This review reports and compare widely accepted as well as emerging PFAS destruction technologies. Some of the technologies presented in this review are still under development at the lab scale, while others have already been tested in the field.

PFASs, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, comprise a diverse group of synthetic chemicals known for their widespread use, persistence, and potential environmental and health risks. The sonolytic treatment of PFASs is one of the technologies with the ability to complete destruction without harmful byproducts. This study aims to provide a theoretical explanation for the sonolytic treatment of PFAS. Combining insights from molecular dynamics simulations with experimental data, the influence of chain length and functional headgroups on the PFAS destruction mechanism was investigated. The findings revealed that the impact on functional head groups and chain length on PFAS degradation via sonolysis treatment is complex and multifaceted. The preliminary degradation step is attributed to be headgroup cleavage, while differences in degradation rates between perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs) are primarily influenced by adsorption at the air–water interface of micro/nanobubbles created by ultrasound and dictated by compound hydrophobicity characteristics. Moreover, longer-chain PFAS compounds tend to degrade faster than shorter-chain counterparts due to their enhanced hydrophobic characteristics, facilitating adsorption and subsequent mineralization. The sonolytic environment significantly influences PFAS degradation, with aqueous sonolysis proving the most effective compared to dry pyrolysis or thermal combustion, highlighting the importance of considering environmental factors in remediation strategies. These insights provide valuable guidance for designing effective PFAS remediation strategies, emphasizing the need to consider molecular structure and environmental conditions. Further research and technological innovation are essential for developing sustainable approaches to mitigate PFAS pollution’s adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

Pollution prevention is an approach for generating less waste using fewer toxic chemicals while conserving water and energy. Even though pollution prevention practices have been encouraged for over thirty years, many smaller businesses have not considered or adopted such techniques. This study examines the effect of a community-based approach designed to emphasize the benefits to the health and economic well-being of urban communities when source reduction practices are implemented by businesses in the community. Partnering with existing community groups in Newark and Jersey City, NJ, technical assistance was provided to small and medium-sized businesses under grant funding from Region 2 of the US Environmental Protection Agency. In this research, 32 small and medium-sized businesses were evaluated for source reduction opportunities and implementation plans were drawn up. After these businesses implemented operational changes, emission and cost savings were determined and reported back to respective small business owners as well as to the communities during community meetings designed to encourage additional participation. Based on 32 case studies, several measurable benefits were achieved, including the yearly saving of 932 pounds of hazardous waste, 3917 pounds of non-hazardous waste, 13.62 metric tons of carbon equivalent (MTCE) of greenhouse gases and $5335 USD. The initial findings suggest that community-based programs such as this can be beneficial but must be sustained over a period of time. One issue that was repeatedly observed, and is likely widely believed, is the concern of small business operators that cooperation with any group funded by a government program may lead to the assessment of fines or penalties for environmental violations. This concern limits the willingness of many smaller businesses to participate. The findings of this study suggest that a sustained community-based program may overcome that concern through demonstration of the benefit to the business and the community, and through credibility building achieved by regular community reporting and the absence of official intervention.

This manuscript discusses the feasibility of sustainable management of municipal solid waste without food waste. Many governments, states, and cities are aware of the adverse impacts of food waste ...