An environmentally friendly solution against waste: upcycling single-use plastic waste and biomass for antibiotic remediation

The increasing use of single-use plastics and antibiotics in healthcare systems has exacerbated environmental issues, posing risks to both public health and ecosystems. The surge in medical waste, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights the urgent need for sustainable waste management solutions. This study presents the development of a novel carbon-based adsorbent material derived from polyethylene terephthalate plastic waste and agricultural biomass, aimed at mitigating antibiotic pollution, specifically ciprofloxacin (CPX), in aqueous environments. Comprehensive validation of the adsorbent was performed through various analytical techniques, exploring key operational parameters such as contact time, pH, and dosage to optimize adsorption efficiency. Results show a significant improvement in surface area, reaching 349.89 m²/g at 500 °C, with CPX removal efficiency reaching 93%. Importantly, the inclusion of polyethylene terephthalate in the composite significantly increased the number of active sites, leading to enhanced interaction with ionizable CPX molecules and superior sorption efficiency. Moreover, incorporation of lignin from biomass in the co-pyrolysis process enhances the material's thermal stability and promotes polymer depolymerization, further increasing adsorption performance. These findings demonstrate the potential of the composite adsorbent in reducing medical and plastic waste while contributing to sustainability and net-zero targets in healthcare systems. Further research is recommended to assess the material's long-term effectiveness in real wastewater applications.