Advancements in Nanocellulose Derived from Plant Waste: Strategies for Sustainable Innovations and Applications

The global generation of plant waste including residues from fruits, crops and vegetables, forestry and landscaping activities is significant. Plant waste generated from domestic and industrial setups is a major concern for environmental issues like methane emission, eutrophication from run offs, unpleasant odours and habitat destruction necessitate recycling and resource recovery. Nano-cellulose, a valorized plant waste product has gained attention as a renewable and sustainable material due to its strength, biocompatibility, biodegradability, improved mechanical and barrier properties, and material performance. A need to review on recycling potential of plant waste as nanocellulose to mitigate environmental concerns was felt. Systematic review of production methods and applications of plant waste nano-cellulose has been made with a focus on mechanical size reduction, chemical treatment and enzymatic procedures for degradation of cellulose to nano-forms. The advantages and drawbacks of each method are analyzed, along with a comprehensive look at nano-cellulose applications across multiple industries such as packaging, pharmaceuticals, automotives and electronics. The survey led to identifying environmental and economic impact of each method. Challenges remain in scaling up production, ensuring commercial viability and addressing environmental concerns associated with current production methods. The perusal of literature underlined the challenges related to regulatory frameworks and community efforts for mitigation of environmental footprints generated. The futuristic assumptions for plant waste derived nanocellulose highlighted need to develop advanced processing techniques and the exploration of novel applications, particularly in eco-friendly materials. By analysis of current advancement and future trends, this review underscores the value of plant waste derived nanocellulose as renewable resource for innovative sustainable materials.