Zinc contamination in water and soil poses significant environmental and health risks, necessitating the need for the development of an effective removal techniques. Ionic liquids (ILs), a class of organic salts with intriguing physicochemical properties, have evolved as a promising alternative for the removal of heavy metals, including zinc specifically, due to their high tunability, negligible vapor pressure, and excellent solvating ability. This review comprehensively discusses the application of ionic liquids for zinc removal, highlighting their mechanisms of action, efficiency, and potential advantages over existing conventional methods. The influence of IL composition, operational parameters, and synergistic effects on removal efficiency are also critically analyzed. Despite their potential, challenges such as cost, environmental impact, and scalability persist, require further innovation in green and sustainable IL designs. Future perspectives on improving IL performance and integrating them into industrial-scale applications are emphasized. This current review aims to provide a foundation for advancing ionic liquids as an eco-friendly solution to mitigate zinc pollution.