Role of nanotechnology as a zero waste tool

Abstract

In the advancing generation, commercialization and industrial development are on the incessant proliferation. Due to this unremitting need for development, the danger to the biological health of the environment is on the assurgent rise. Many “clean and green” industrial protocols have been generated and taken into purview but has been ineffective in keeping abreast with the ever‐growing pace of environmental threats. Technology in today's world has been the game changer in revolutionizing the way humans live their lives today but at the same time, has also become the greatest source of threat to the very sustainability of the planet. Thus, newer technological enhancements have been initiated to compensate for the harm to the environment. Of these, green and sustainable nanotechnological methodology and tools to be used as zero waste tools have been developed to efficiently beat the crisis of the hour. For example, the development of various nano‐based zero‐waste tools to the introduction of nanotechnology in various industries like automobiles, water, agriculture, and so on, has changed the way sustainable development has been adopted. This article aims to enhance the success of nanotechnology in the various sustainable developments done in industrial fields to cope up with the need of a “clean and green” environment.

Nano Revolution: “Tiny tech, big impact: How nanotechnology is driving SDGs progress"

“…Nanosensors can enhance reliability and safety by identifying potential problems before they become severe and monitoring infrastructure in real time. Finally, waste [ [53] , [54] , [55] ] can be reduced, and water treatment [ 54 , 56 , 57 ] plants can operate more effectively thanks to nanotechnology-based water treatment technologies (elaborated in detail in the following sections).…”

“…Nanomaterials can be employed to develop more durable and longer-lasting products [ 85 ], reducing waste generated by consumer goods. Furthermore, nanomaterials will help in developing more efficient recycling [ 44 , 45 , 55 ] processes, improving the sustainability of waste [ 53 , 55 , 86 ] management. Nanotechnology can make manufacturing processes more energy efficient, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.…”

“…Furthermore, carbon dioxide emissions [ 38 , 95 , 96 ] from industrial operations can be captured and stored using nano-based materials, which lowers greenhouse gas emissions [ [97] , [98] , [99] ], using Nano-Zeolite, which can be achieved by increasing the energy efficiency of structures, transportation, and manufacturing techniques. Additionally, nanosensors can be used to continuously monitor environmental [ 53 , 56 , 60 , 83 , [100] , [101] , [102] ] conditions, spotting potential problems before they become serious and assisting in reducing the effects of climate change on ecosystems.…”