Sustainable environmental solutions

Abstract

In recent decades, increasing attention has been paid to the sustainability of products and processes, including activities aimed at environmental protection, site reclamation or treatment of contaminated effluents, as well as the valorization of waste through the recovery of resources. Although implemented with ‘noble intentions’, these processes are often highly invasive, unsustain-able and socially unacceptable, as they involve significant use of chemical products or energy. This Special Issue is aimed at collecting research activities focused on the development of new processes to replace the above-cited obsolete practices. Taking inspiration from real problems and the need to face real cases of contamination or prevent potentially harmful situations, the development and optimization of ‘smart’ solutions, i.e., sustainable not only from an environmental point of view but also economically, are discussed in order to encourage as much as possible their actual implementation.