Heavy metals (HMs) are indestructible and non-biodegradable. Phytoremediation presents an opportunity to
transfer HMs from environmental matrices into plants, making it easy to translocate from one place to another.
The ornate features of HMs’ phytoremediation are biophilia and carbon neutrality, compared to the physical and
chemical remediation methods. Some recent studies related to LCA also support that phytoremediation is
technically more sustainable than competing technologies. However, one major post-application challenge
associated with HMs phytoremediation is properly managing HMs contaminated biomass generated. Such a yield
presents the problem of reintroducing HMs into the environment due to natural decomposition and release of
plant sap from the harvested biomass. The transportation of high yields can also make phytoremediation
economically inviable. This review presents the design of a sustainable phytoremediation strategy using an everevolving life cycle assessment tool. This review also discusses possible post-phytoremediation biomass management strategies for the HMs contaminated biomass management. These strategies include composting,
leachate compaction, gasification, pyrolysis, torrefaction, and metal recovery. Further, the commercial outlook
for properly utilizing HMs contaminated biomass was presented.
