A research article explores the use of waste polystyrene (PS) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) composites as photocatalysts for the degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) in water. The study aims to develop PS-TiO₂ composites with varying PS content (C20, C50, C80) to remove CIP from wastewater. The composites were synthesized using waste PS from disposable cutlery, and their effectiveness was evaluated through photocatalytic degradation experiments. The process was optimized using Box-Behnken design, which considered factors such as polymer content, pH, and initial CIP concentration. The optimal conditions were found to be pH 3 and an initial CIP concentration of 5 mg/L, achieving a 95.01% removal efficiency after 180 minutes. The results indicate that the C50 composite, with 50% PS content, is most effective for CIP removal. The study also highlights the potential of using waste materials to address environmental issues, as the PS waste was repurposed for this application. The composites were characterized using XRD, SEM, FTIR, and Zeta potential analysis, confirming their structure and properties. The photocatalytic degradation mechanism involves the formation of reactive species such as hydroxyl and oxygen radicals, which degrade CIP molecules. The study also examined the effects of pH, initial concentration, and catalyst dosage on degradation efficiency, finding that pH significantly influenced the process. The results suggest that the PS-TiO₂ composite is a promising and sustainable alternative for CIP removal from wastewater.A research article explores the use of waste polystyrene (PS) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) composites as photocatalysts for the degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) in water. The study aims to develop PS-TiO₂ composites with varying PS content (C20, C50, C80) to remove CIP from wastewater. The composites were synthesized using waste PS from disposable cutlery, and their effectiveness was evaluated through photocatalytic degradation experiments. The process was optimized using Box-Behnken design, which considered factors such as polymer content, pH, and initial CIP concentration. The optimal conditions were found to be pH 3 and an initial CIP concentration of 5 mg/L, achieving a 95.01% removal efficiency after 180 minutes. The results indicate that the C50 composite, with 50% PS content, is most effective for CIP removal. The study also highlights the potential of using waste materials to address environmental issues, as the PS waste was repurposed for this application. The composites were characterized using XRD, SEM, FTIR, and Zeta potential analysis, confirming their structure and properties. The photocatalytic degradation mechanism involves the formation of reactive species such as hydroxyl and oxygen radicals, which degrade CIP molecules. The study also examined the effects of pH, initial concentration, and catalyst dosage on degradation efficiency, finding that pH significantly influenced the process. The results suggest that the PS-TiO₂ composite is a promising and sustainable alternative for CIP removal from wastewater.