Sustainable Environmental Engineering

1. Introduction

The field of environmental engineering is undergoing a vital transformation, driven by the urgent need to address environmental degradation, resource scarcity, and climate change. This Special Issue of Applied Sciences, titled “Sustainable Environmental Engineering”, showcases a curated selection of seven original research articles that span three core domains—remediation, modelling, and sustainable processes. These contributions collectively highlight the pivotal role of innovation in engineering for sustainable development.

2. Remediation

In the remediation domain, nature-based solutions and green technologies are at the forefront.

Vocciante et al. [1] demonstrate the promise of enhanced phytoremediation using plant growth-promoting bacteria to rehabilitate oil-contaminated agricultural land, emphasizing eco-friendly and cost-effective soil recovery.

Similarly, Filali et al. [2] propose a cyclic graywater treatment system integrating mechanical, biological, and plant-based filtration, presenting a scalable and sustainable model for wastewater reuse in agriculture.

Ramos et al. [3] contribute with a novel nanocatalyst synthesized from plant extracts for the photodegradation of antibiotics, offering a green approach for tackling pharmaceutical contaminants in water bodies.

3. Modelling

The Modelling section advances our understanding of environmental systems and decision-making.

Cai et al. [4] introduce a cutting-edge hybrid machine learning model—Optuna–LightGBM–XGBoost—that accurately estimates carbon emissions based on electricity data, enabling better emission management strategies.

Çetin et al. [5] present a comprehensive life cycle assessment of medical waste management in Istanbul, comparing multiple treatment scenarios and underlining the environmental benefit of waste segregation and minimization strategies.

4. Sustainable Processes

Finally, the Processes section presents technological advancements aimed at improving efficiency and reducing environmental footprints.

Davila-Iniesta et al. [6] explore the use of automated image segmentation for defect detection in robotic welding, enabling cleaner and more resource-efficient production lines.

Li et al. [7] investigate optimal drying parameters for chicken manure treatment using variable temperature methods, utilizing residual heat for sustainable waste-to-resource conversion in agriculture.

5. Conclusions

Together, these articles underscore the interdisciplinary and solution-oriented nature of sustainable environmental engineering. From green remediation techniques and intelligent modelling to optimized industrial processes, the research presented in this issue offers pathways to a more resilient and sustainable future.

We thank the contributing authors for their valuable insights and the Reviewers for their critical assessments, which have helped ensure the quality of this collection.

We hope this Special Issue will inspire further research and collaboration in advancing sustainable technologies and systems for environmental protection.