Need of the Hour to Manage Biological Waste and Management: An Emerging Issue

In the face of escalating biological waste from diverse origins and sectors such as agriculture, research, food, and medical domains, this chapter underscores the importance of effective biowaste management. In particular, a subset of biological waste, namely biomedical waste, is examined. Conventional techniques like incineration and landfill are critiqued for their contribution to the greenhouse effect and other toxic residues that are hard to dispose of. This necessitates the use of alternative advanced methods with minimal shortcomings and maximal efficiency. Cutting-edge waste management techniques such as autoclaving, microwaving, hydrothermal carbonization, and catalytic pyrolysis significantly reduce the environmental footprint of biowaste. Emphasis is placed on the synthesis of nanoparticles from biowaste through sustainable and cost-effective green methodologies. Moreover, this chapter highlights biowaste upcycling as an inventive concept to manufacture environmentally friendly bio-products like biodiesel, bioalcohol, bioelectricity, and biogas, presenting a transformative opportunity in waste management. However, the continued research and innovation in harnessing the potential of advanced techniques via the incorporation of nanoparticles is pivotal for the development of a sustainable circular economy.