Enzymes-mediated solid waste management: A sustainable practice for recycling

Abstract

Different anthropogenic activities, extensive applications of agrochemicals, and industrialization have significantly altered natural environmental processes through the generation of solid waste. Based on the sources of origin and chemical behavior, the impact of solid waste on the environment varies. Currently, it is essential to tackle novel methods to reduce the impact of solid waste on the environment. Approaches such as open burning, landfills, incineration, composting, and pyrolysis are effective against solid waste; however, the introduction of sustainable and efficient approaches is essential to overcome the problems of conventional practices. Enzyme-mediated solid waste management is an extensively applicable strategy owing to its specificity for catalytic reactions. Enzyme-mediated remediation directly or indirectly degrades pollutants by modifying the chemical and physical properties of waste. Hydrolases, lipases, oxidoreductases, oxygenases, and laccases are the major enzymes involved in the conversion of hazardous wastes into non-toxic or biodegradable materials. To boost the activity of enzymes or for profitable industrialization, it is mandatory to incorporate modern strategies, such as omics analysis, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology, that aid in the development of new tolerant enzyme mutants with high efficiency. This review comprehensively covers the recent trends in enzyme-mediated biotransformation of toxic waste materials to non-toxic materials for a stable, sustainable, and healthy environment.

Keywords

• Solid waste
• Enzyme
• Plastic
• Recycling
• Sustainable environment