Sustainable Water Purification through Waste-Derived Biodegradable Adsorbents

Achievement: Al-Ahliyya Amman University has demonstrated pioneering leadership in sustainable innovation through a transformative, multi-year initiative addressing Jordan’s critical water scarcity challenges. Understanding the strategic importance of water sustainability to national resilience and agricultural security, the University mobilized its academic, scientific, and innovation resources to design scalable, environmentally friendly solutions that meet both local and regional needs.

At the core of this project, Al-Ahliyya Amman University led an interdisciplinary research effort to develop low-cost, biodegradable adsorbent materials for water purification, leveraging waste-derived resources such as fruit peels, vegetable residues, tree leaves, and chitosan.

Using advanced optimization tools like the Box–Behnken Design, the research team optimized parameters to maximize pollutant removal efficiency. The resulting materials achieved more than 90% removal efficiency and adsorption capacities above 600 mg/g, surpassing international benchmarks for sustainable water purification. Field trials in the University’s greenhouses and livestock farms confirmed the practicality, safety, and environmental compatibility of the treated water for reuse in irrigation and animal hydration. The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre is now guiding commercialization steps to establish eco-adsorbent startups and local manufacturing units, linking scientific innovation with Jordan’s green economy agenda. This initiative exemplifies the University’s vision to act as a national and regional hub for sustainable technology innovation.

Sustainability Alignment:

This initiative reinforces Al-Ahliyya Amman University’s role as a regional leader in green innovation, aligning with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Providing affordable, sustainable solutions for wastewater purification and reuse.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Transforming agricultural and household waste into high-value materials, reducing pollution and landfill use.

SDG 13: Climate Action – Lowering greenhouse gas emissions through waste valorization and energy-efficient processes.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Fostering green entrepreneurship and job creation through commercialization of eco-friendly technologies.

Mission Statement:

Developing eco-friendly, waste-based adsorbent materials to purify water sustainably, enhance agricultural productivity, and contribute to national environmental resilience.

Authors of Publication:

- Dr. Rima Al Omari – Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, AAU.

- Dr. Ahmad Samed Al-adwan – Business School, AAU.

- Dr. Tariq Al Hasan, AAU.