Green Technologies For Waste Management

Our Earth is considered as a natural system which organizes and controls itself. However, the present scale of anthropogenic activity is unprecedented in the history of mankind compelling the intelligentia to ponder over the scientific causes of the problems, processes and sustainable and pragmatic solutions. The current rate of resource use and consumption pattern are depleting the planet’s finite resources and damaging life-supporting ecosystems. A large number of toxic substances are increasingly found in air, water, soil, and flora and fauna. We are in the midst of a period of increasing interconnected and complex global challenges that seek action across temporal and spatial scales, diverse sectors, and concerted efforts from global citizens. The environment on account of human’s action has been experiencing imbalances and ecological catastrophe. Environmental issues like global climate change, biodiversity loss, the rapid depletion of natural resources, degradation of global commons, stratospheric ozone depletion have been restricting the safe operating space and transgressing the planetary boundaries endangering the existence of human societies. The global environmental problems if not scientifically managed may end up in the civilizational collapse. Nevertheless, the underlying commonality among these environmental issues is interrelatedness, complexity, and difficulty in identifying and implementing solutions. The global environmental challenges can be managed by adopting sustainable green technologies which dovetails the principles of environmental sustainability with social and ecological sustainability. Green growth is construed as a new development paradigm that sustains economic growth while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability.

Proper waste disposal is still a serious concern worldwide. This book addresses various types of wastes such as industrial, agricultural, and municipal solid and liquid wastes, their generation, and the status of waste management in developed and developing countries. It discusses advanced green technologies used in harnessing energy and bioproducts from wastes such as electricity, biofuel, biopolymers, fertilizers, and chemicals without damaging the quality of the environment but rather creating a source that is an added value to the environment. Through many applications and case studies, this comprehensive book helps readers build a state-of-the-art knowledge on waste utilization and energy generation. FEATURES Provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art coverage of waste management practices, their challenges, and solutions from a global perspective Discusses conceptual principles and practices of various green technologies that can be used to generate valuable products from waste and improve environmental quality Includes case studies from the United States and Japan, providing detailed explanations of advanced bioremediation technologies Takes a holistic approach to waste management and bioproducts recovery Offers an easy-to-understand and target-oriented approach that helps both students and professionals advance their knowledge in creating wealth from waste Written for undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in environmental biotechnology, environmental microbiology, non-conventional energy sources, waste treatment technologies, environmental waste utilization, energy, and environment taught in universities and colleges. The book can also be used by professionals and researchers at different levels in related fields.

This proposed book chapter is expected to provide the readers with wide aspects of green technologies for industrial waste remediation. The first chapter is dedicated to the introduction to the title of the book. The chapter discusses various green technologies for industrial waste remediation. After that, the second chapter emphasizes the different types of applications of microorganisms in industrial waste treatment. After that, chapters emphasize the specific area of the title, including the micro and nanofiltration technology for the treatment of industrial wastewater, methods for the recovery and removal of heavy metals from industrial effluents, algal photobioreactor technology for industrial wastewater treatment, carbon capture and energy recovery, bioremediation of radioactive wastes, membrane-based technologies for industrial waste management, valorization of agro-industrial wastes for biorefinery products, bioaccumulation and detoxification of metals through genetically engineered microorganism, application of biochar in waste remediation, constructed wetlands for industrial wastewater remediation, bioelectrochemical treatment of recalcitrant pollutants, microplastics, petrochemicals including BTEX, applications of biosorbents in industrial wastewater treatment, Microbial biofilm reactor for sustainable wastewater treatment, dye adsorption and degradation using microbial consortium, sustainable treatment of endocrine disruptive chemicals released from industries, biological nanomaterials for industrial wastewater management, vermifiltration as a natural, cost-effective and green technology for biomanagement of industrial wastewater, biocatalytic remediation of industrial pollutants, and green treatment of poly aromatic hydrocarbons released from industrial waste. All the chapters cover various aspects of sustainable management of industrial wastes covering relevant literature and data. Further, this book discusses the various advanced techniques/methods adopted for the enhancement of waste management, like the application of nanoparticles. This book discusses other related topics such as algal photobioreactors for carbon dioxide sequestration. Further, chapters are included to discuss about life cycle assessment of the wastewater treatment tools and commercialization aspects.

In the present scenario, green technologies are playing significant role in changing the course of nation’s economic growth towards sustainability and providing an alternative socio-economic model that will enable present and future generations to live in a clean and healthy environment, in harmony with nature. Green technology, which is also known as clean technology, refers to the development and extension of processes, practices, and applications that improve or replace the existing technologies facilitating society to meet their own needs while substantially decreasing the impact of human on the planet, and reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. The concepts of Green Technologies, if endorsed and pervaded into the lives of all societies, will facilitate the aim of the Millennium Development Goals of keeping the environment intact and improve it for the civilization to survive. Green Technologies and Environmental Sustainability is focused on the goals of green technologies which are becoming increasingly important for ensuring sustainability. This book provides different perspectives of green technology in sectors like energy, agriculture, waste management and economics and contains recent advancements made towards sustainable development in the field of bioenergy, nanotechnology, green chemistry, bioremediation, degraded land reclamation. This book is written for a large and broad readership, including researchers, scientists, academicians and readers from diverse backgrounds across various fields such as nanotechnology, chemistry, agriculture, environmental science, water engineering, waste management and energy. It could also serve as a reference book for graduates and post-graduate students, faculties, environmentalist and industrial personnel who are working in the area of green technologies.

Green Technology: An A-to-Z Guide explores the essential role of technology and its most recent developments toward a sustainable environment. Twofold in its definition, green technology includes the changing of existing technology toward energy conservation as well as the creation of new, clean technology aimed at utilizing renewable resources. With a primary focus on waste management, the volume presents more than 150 articles in A-to-Z format featuring such disciplines as nanoscience, biochemistry, information technology, and environmental engineering. Scholars and experts in their fields present a full range of topics from applications of green technology to The Green Grid global consortium to membrane technology and water purification systems to waste-to-energy technology. This work culminates in an outstanding reference available in both print and electronic formats for academic, university, and public libraries. Vivid photographs, searchable hyperlinks, an extensive resource guide, numerous cross references, and a clear, accessible writing style make the Green Society volumes ideal for classroom use as well as for research.

As we know, rapid industrialization is a serious concern in the context of a healthy environment and public health due to the generation of huge volumes of toxic wastewater. Although various physico-chemical and biological approaches are available for the treatment of this wastewater, many of them are not effective. Now, there a number of emerging ecofriendly, cost-effective approaches utilizing microorganisms (bacterial/fungi/algae), green plants or their enzymes, and constructed wetland treatment systems in the treatment of wastewaters containing pollutants such as endocrine disrupting chemicals, toxic metals, pesticides, dyes, petroleum hydrocarbons and phenolic compounds. This book provides a much-needed, comprehensive overview of the various types of wastewater and their ecotoxicological effects on the environment, humans, animals and plants as well as various emerging and eco-friendly approaches for their treatment. It provides insights into the ecological problems and challenges in the treatment and management of wastewaters generated by various sources.

It is generally acknowledged today that the most effective strategy for toxic and hazardous waste management is: reduction, reuse and recycle. However, to date most of the activity has been in treatment technologies. This book focuses on recent technological issues commercially available or in various stages of implementation. Developments in the U.S. and Europe in the area of waste management policy and regulation are also examined since management and remediation have usually been conducted in response to regulatory requirements. This book serves as a state of the art resource on technologies and methodologies for the environmental protection manager involved in decisions concerning the management of toxic and hazardous waste.

Sustainability is a growing area of research in ecology, economics, environmental science, business, and cultural studies. Specifically, sustainable waste disposal and management is a growing concern as both solid and liquid wastes are rapidly expanding in direct correlation with population growth and improved economic conditions across regions. The Handbook of Research on Waste Management Techniques for Sustainability explores the topic of sustainable development in an era where domestic and municipal waste is becoming a concern for both human and environmental health. Highlighting a number of topics relating to pollution, green initiatives, and waste reduction in both the public and private sector, this research-based publication is designed for use by environmental scientists, business executives, researchers, graduate-level students, and policymakers seeking the latest information on sustainability in business, medicine, agriculture, and society.