In 2019, a staggering 931 million tons of food went to waste, which is equal to about 17% of all the food available in stores. Dealing with this waste and managing wastewater from various industries will be among the world’s top challenges soon. This is because the global population is expected to grow to around 9 billion people by 2050. Food processing effluent is characterized by valuable material in considerable concentrations, including proteins and lipids with low concentrations of heavy metals and toxicants. Developing an integrated management system for food-processing wastewater should focus on recovering abundant resources, improving the economic value of the process, and mitigating the organic contaminant in the food-processing effluent. This state-of-the-art will review the wastewater management processes of the food processing industry. The latest wastewater treatment processes in different food processing sectors will be reviewed. This review will encompass various physicochemical treatment and recovery techniques, such as precipitation, membrane technology, solvent extraction, foam fractionation, adsorption, and aqueous two-phase systems. Additionally, it will delve into bio-treatment processes that leverage microorganisms and/or enzymes to utilize nutrients found in food-processing wastewater as cost-effective substrates for the production of valuable products. This includes a detailed examination of microalga biomass production within wastewater treatment systems. Finally, the review will put forward future research directions aimed at integrating the principles of the circular economy and developing comprehensive food-processing wastewater management systems.

A nanofiltration (NF) based separation process is used to treat the effluent from a textile plant to allow for water reuse and fulfill environmental standards. The wastewater effluent contains reactive black (RB5)- and disperse (DR60) dyes. A NF-unit model E2 series with HL 2521 TF spiral wound module was used to carry out experiments. 90 & 93% color removal and COD reduction for RB5 and 98 & 95% for DR60 were achieved. A parametric study of the separation process is undertaken to characterize the effects of the operating variables, e.g., trans-membrane pressure, dye/salt concentration in the feed, temperature, and cross flow velocity. The solution diffusion model was used to develop power correlations to calculate the permeate side solute mass transfer coefficient as a function of effective cross-flow Reynolds number. In contrast to the commonly assumed constant hydraulic solvent permeability, a non-linear relationship was developed over the applied trans-membrane net driving pressure. The latter correlates exponentially with salt permeability for both dyes. The effects of feed salt-content on solute mass transfer coefficient, water and salt permeability, concentration polarization, dye hydrophobicity and ionic strength were studied. Results were used to assess engineering specifications of a commercial size NF-plant (500m3/d capacity)

Based on a successful experimental result from laboratory and bench scale for treatment of wastewater from beverages industry, an industrial and efficient treatment unit is designed and constructed. The broad goal of this study was to design and construct effluent, cost effective and high quality treatment unit. The used technology is the activated sludge process of extended aeration type followed by rapid sand filters and chlorination as tertiary treatment. Experimental results have been considered as the basis for full scale design of the industrial capacity of 1600m3/day treatment plant. Final effluent characteristics after treatment comply with Egyptian legalizations after reducing COD and BOD5 by about 97% and 95% respectively. So it is recommended to reuse treated effluent in textile industry in dyeing process

Green nanotechnology has emerged as a pioneering and multidisciplinary field, offering transformative solutions to mitigate environmental challenges while advancing global sustainability. This study comprehensively examines the role of engineered nanomaterials in wastewater treatment, soil remediation, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy applications. The incorporation of metal-based nanoparticles (e.g., titanium dioxide (TiO₂), cerium oxide (CeO₂), silver (Ag) nanomaterials), carbon-based nanostructures (e.g., graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes), and biopolymer composites (e.g., chitosan, cellulose, and alginate-based nanomaterials) has demonstrated promising capabilities in degrading organic pollutants, adsorbing heavy metals, improving plant resilience, and enhancing energy conversion efficiencies. These nanomaterials exhibit unique physicochemical properties-such as high surface area, tunable reactivity, and selective catalytic functions-enabling their effective deployment in environmental restoration efforts.In wastewater treatment, the application of nanofiltration membranes, nano-adsorbents, and photocatalytic degradation processes has significantly enhanced the removal efficiency of persistent contaminants, including heavy metals (Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, Cr⁶⁺), pharmaceuticals, and microplastics. In soil remediation, polysaccharide-based nanocomposites and nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) have been employed to detoxify contaminated lands, restoring soil fertility and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Moreover, nanoparticle-enhanced fertilizers and precision nano-pesticides have been developed to optimize nutrient delivery, minimize chemical runoff, and mitigate crop stress under adverse environmental conditions. Despite these advancements, challenges related to nanoparticle toxicity, environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and regulatory uncertainties remain significant barriers to large-scale implementation. Studies indicate that engineered nanomaterials can interact with microbial ecosystems, alter soil microbiota balance, and pose ecotoxicological risks when not properly assessed. Comprehensive risk assessments, real-world field trials, and life cycle evaluations (LCA) are essential to understanding the long-term implications of nanoparticle applications and ensuring their safe integration into ecological systems.Furthermore, advancements in nano-enabled water purification (e.g., nanocatalysts, graphene-based membranes), targeted drug delivery systems, and energy storage technologies (e.g., nanostructured batteries and supercapacitors) align closely with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The synergistic collaboration between material scientists, environmental engineers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders is crucial for overcoming current limitations and accelerating the transition toward a more sustainable and responsible use of nanotechnology. This review highlights the urgent need for regulatory frameworks, public awareness initiatives, and interdisciplinary research efforts to optimize nanomaterial applications while minimizing environmental trade-offs. By leveraging green nanotechnology in an environmentally responsible manner, pollution reduction, resource efficiency, and ecological resilience can be significantly enhanced, paving the way for a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future.