Abstract
This review describes a laboratory experiment conducted by students aimed at the conversion of local agricultural waste into effective sorbents. Rice straw and husks were used as the source material from which activated carbon was produced. The objective of the work was not only the production of the sorbent and the evaluation of its effectiveness in wastewater treatment but also to foster environmental awareness and develop competence in the field of sustainable development among students through a laboratory experiment. This experiment included the carbonization and activation of the raw materials as well as the subsequent analysis of water both before and after purification using standardized methods. The research data confirmed that the sorbents obtained from agricultural waste possess high purification properties. Moreover, the experiment showed that 93% of students increased their motivation and interest in green chemistry and the principles of sustainable development, 78% expanded their theoretical knowledge, 92% strengthened their practical skills, and 75% increased their environmental awareness due to the experiment’s focus on recycling local waste instead of causing environmental harm through incineration.