Role of Nanotechnology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Waste Management

With a growing population, an improvement in the quality of life, advancements in the industrialization of medicine, food, agriculture, energy, electronics, etc., and an increase in dependency on high-tech tools and accessories, there is also a substantial rise in the waste generated. This exponential growth of by-products/waste has become a hazard to the environment. Traditional ways of handling this huge mass of waste like collection, treatment, transport, storage, disposal, etc. are becoming a major challenge at times. It is widely accepted that no single method or process can effectively be used in managing the vast quantity of waste that is being generated on a daily basis. So, a new and more customized approach that amalgamates both the traditional and advanced technologies is the need of the hour. One such promising field is nanotechnology. Imparting nanotechnology to the physical, chemical, and biological management methods needs further exploration. Nanomaterials due to their unique characteristics such as high surface-to-volume ratio, enhanced activity/sensitivity, better dissociation, etc., can work wonders, if applied strategically after careful studies. Nanomaterials like zero-valent iron (ZVI), zeolites, carbon nanotubes, etc. have been under investigation for their potential in waste management and treatment for a while. Furthermore, waste can be valorized by employing bioprocess technology for the production of bioproducts such as hydrolytic enzymes, primarily carbohydrases for bioethanol production, and, to a lesser extent, fragrances, biosurfactants, biopesticides, bioplastics, organic acids, phenolic compounds, etc. This chapter’s emphasis will be on the role of nanotechnology and bioprocess technologies in waste management and treatment, and ways to monitor the process of waste management using artificial intelligence.