<p>The persistence of environmental contaminants, driven by global population growth and industrial development, poses significant risks to human health and the environment. Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) have emerged as a promising solution, due to their exceptional thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties, enabling diverse applications. This review aims to provide a detailed assessment of various environmental pollutants, including air, water, soil, and plastic contaminants, along with their harmful effects on health and the environment. The study explores the application of carbon-based nanomaterials, including carbon nanotubes, graphene, fullerenes, and carbon quantum dots for the removal of organic contaminants, dyes, and heavy metals, highlighting their potential in environmental remediation. CNMs' essential roles in advancing a circular economy through recycling, resource recovery, and sustainable waste management are also explored. This assessment also addresses key drawbacks, such as toxicity, poor environmental stability, and challenges in large-scale adoption, despite CNMs' benefits. To maximize the sustainable use of CNMs in remediation technologies, future research approaches are investigated, including enhancing biocompatibility and integrating them into more comprehensive environmental management frameworks.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>