Green chemistry for sustainable waste management

Abstract

Waste generation has grown rapidly alongside urbanization, industrial development, and modern consumption patterns, posing severe threats to the environment, public health, and climate stability. Traditional “end of pipe” approaches—collecting, treating, and disposing of waste—often shift pollution from one medium to another and create new environmental burdens. Green chemistry, guided by its 12 principles, offers a transformative framework for preventing waste at its source, designing safer materials, and converting unavoidable waste into valuable resources. This review explores the intersection of green chemistry and waste management, focusing on how strategies such as biocatalysis, catalytic conversion of waste into fuels and chemicals, solvent free and energy efficient processes, water treatment, bio refineries, and biodegradable product design can reduce the volume, toxicity, and persistence of waste. Real world case studies from India including rice straw to ethanol bio refineries, biogas plants for rural energy, catalytic plastic to fuel conversion, treatment of textile effluents, and compostable packaging demonstrate the practical application and benefits of these approaches.