ABSTRACT
Industries are the cornerstones of social and economic development and have contributed to the growth and standard of human civilization. Though the Industrial Revolution has had a positive impact on human life in numerous ways, it also has a murky side in the form of gigantic amounts of accumulated industrial wastes, disposal of which is the next big issue along with increased metal demand. Increased waste generation has a severe impact on the environment. High concentrations of heavy metals like Pb, Cr, As, Zn, Cd, Cu, Hg, and Ni in industrial wastes are toxic and hazardous and threaten human health and the environment. Recycling of the waste can help reduce the volume as well its hazardous effects. Moreover, extraction of the base and precious metals from these secondary sources will help to meet the increasing metal demand. This chapter focuses on industrial progress and the generation of industrial waste along with its impact on health and the environment. It also mentions the advantages of recycling and retrieving metals from industrial waste.
