Addressing wastewater treatment challenges in developing nations: A standardized framework for sustainable adsorption techniques in small and medium industries

<p align="justify">Water pollution has become a major challenge for many low-income and developing countries, leading to a shortage of clean water for daily activities. The review section of this study merges findings from different studies on wastewater treatment, which explored various techniques categorized primarily into physical, biological, and chemical methods. Among these, adsorption—a physical method was identified as the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach, primarily because the materials needed for it are widely available in nature. A major gap observed in all the studies reviewed was the lack of the application of the adsorption technique on an industrial scale, which stems mainly from the absence of standardization, as the study reveals. To bridge this gap, we develop a standardized framework for adsorption techniques in small and medium industries with clear guidelines on how to implement adsorption-based wastewater treatment. It incorporates sustainable practices, climate change considerations, and water risk management to ensure long-term environmental and economic benefits.</p>