This study explores the environmental impacts of non-plastic waste in water bodies, an often-understudied area of water pollution research. While plastic waste has been the focus of environmental concern, other forms of waste also play a significant role in the degradation of aquatic ecosystems. This includes waste products such as glass, metal, paper, textiles, and chemical pollutants. Non-plastic waste materials can alter the physical characteristics of water bodies, disrupt the balance of aquatic ecosystems, and introduce toxic elements that have far-reaching impacts on both local and global scales. This review employs a multi-disciplinary approach, combining principles from environmental chemistry, ecology, and hydrology to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue. The paper reviewed the chemical and physical properties of different types of non-plastic waste and investigated their specific impacts on aquatic life and water quality. The global community has adopted the sustainable development goals (SDGs), which the world is currently working to achieve. For the decision-makers, understanding how technology can help achieve the SDGs is essential because it will enable them to overcome any potential trade-off. The contribution of wastewater management to the SDGs has been highlighted in this work. According to the analysis, treating wastewater could help achieve 11 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals directly and all others indirectly.

Keywords: Non-Plastic waste, Wastewater Treatment, Aquatic ecosystems, SDGs, Plastic waste