Unearthing the potential sustainability of cellulose and exploring its source, fate, and recovery

Abstract

The occurrence of cellulose in wastewater is mostly due to the usage of lavatory tissue, anticipated to be about 30% of the produced domestic sewage. This makes the recovery of cellulosic substances from wastewater important as a resource valorization strategy. The cellulose recovery is highly recommended to be included in wastewater treatment plant (WWTPs), associated with the favorable environmental impression, flexible routes of application, and mature value chain. In the present review, a comprehensive map was drawn for the initial and transformational applications of cellulose in WWTPs. Typical microbial cultures found in wastewater, facilitating cellulose degradation in both aerobic and anaerobic cases were thoroughly reviewed. An outlook of commercialized technologies purposed for cellulose recovery has been provided, with prominence on rotating bed filter. The benefits of cellulose recovery from wastewater via various routes were also highlighted.