Waste to value: microbial electrochemical technologies for sustainable water, material, and energy cycles

Global wastewater production exceeds 359 billion m 3 annually, of which only 52% is treated, mostly in expensive and resource-consuming processes. Microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) offer a transformative approach to sustainable wastewater management by converting waste into valuable resources such as energy, clean water, and nutrients. They present a viable solution to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 (to ensure access to water and sanitation for all) by enhancing both sanitation and resource recovery. METs, including microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), harness electrogenic microorganisms to oxidize organic matter, generating electric energy or…