Biochemical conversion of municipal solid waste to biofuels and bioproducts

a review

Authored by

Meenu Hans, Deepika Umrao, Mozhiarasi Velusamy, Deepak Kumar, Sachin Kumar

Abstract

The disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) in urban areas is a big issue nowadays in most of the countries. Developing countries like India are struggling with the continuous indiscriminate disposal of MSW due to rapid increase in the urbanization, industrialization, and human population growth. The mismanagement of MSW causes adverse environmental impacts, public health risks, and other socio-economic problems. India, the second most populated country in the world, faces the problem of MSW and simultaneously grave the crisis of energy as management problems of MSW provide a platform to utilize it as a promising renewable energy source, thus resolving the related issues. The pressing need for the development of alternatives gave several different technological solutions; among them, Waste-to-Energy is being recognized as a renewable option for energy generation and waste remediation. The associated challenges of managing regularly generated MSW make it difficult to adopt the suitable technique/process to treat it. However, detailed information and discussion are needed to decide which strategy is to be adopted. Considering the large availability and potential of MSW, this article has been reviewed to collect and represent different strategies of using MSW for different products based on the requirements of society. The article reviews the up-to-date biochemical conversion strategies being employed to treat the MSW and simultaneously harness the energy, and other value–added products. Besides, the life cycle assessment highlights the futuristic scope for industrial growth to determine the environmental impact of using MSW as a renewable energy source and substrate for biopolymers.

Details

External Organisation(s)
Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS-NIBE)
Guru Nanak Dev University
Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (CIAB)
Ambedkar National Institute of Technology (NITJ)
Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR–CLRI)
State University of New York (SUNY)
Type
Article
Journal
Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Volume
32
Pages
19204–19224
No. of pages
21
ISSN
0944-1344
Publication date
07.2025
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Environmental Chemistry, Pollution, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being, SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-35667-8 (Access: Closed )