Municipal solid waste valorization to biofuel production: Comparative evaluation, policies, challenges, and practices

Background For decades, waste governance has been a looming threat to humankind and the ecology. Waste management has consistently been a matter of dispute, impeding progress and hindering the establishment of a sustainable economy, irrespective of whether it pertains to developed or underdeveloped nations. Solid waste is a major contributor to diverse types of environmental pollution. The widespread social and economic implications of environmental pollution have had detrimental effects on the planet. Transitioning waste, a major source of pollution, can not only alleviate ecological concerns but also drive economic prosperity through sustainable energy production by harnessing it as fuel. Methods Municipal solid waste (MSW) is a promising resource for generating biofuels through various waste-to-energy conversion pathways, offering economic viability and reliability. Numerous strategies have been introduced with many modifications in various countries leading to extensive biofuel production. Significant findings A comprehensive assessment was conducted to thoroughly examine the contemporary status of municipal solid waste management, focusing on the efficient disposal and diversion of waste and analyzing the associated opportunities and challenges worldwide. Waste-to-energy technologies have been systematically discussed, providing a comprehensive overview of the biofuels produced with policies and challenges in different countries.