Municipal solid waste as a sustainable resource for energy production: State-of-the-art review

Solid waste treatment and disposal is a global challenge for the development of a sustainable society. The problem has been exacerbated by a rise in waste products as a result of population growth and urbanization. Ever-increasing municipal solid waste, together with its high proportion of organic waste and its unscientific disposal, contributes to Greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants. Municipal solid waste (MSW) mismanagement not only has harmful environmental consequences but also poses public health risks and raises other socioeconomic concerns. The mitigation approach requires an environmentally sustainable interpretation of the waste for its management and treatment. The waste-to-energy conversion provides a solution to environmental issues such as Greenhouse gas emission and waste management, thereby helping to achieve a green environment with a simultaneously prospering economy. This paper provides a comprehensive review of municipal solid waste generation and its characteristics. It provides a bird's-eye view of the suitability of various technologies for energy production, providing up-to-date information about it. It also covers challenges and perspectives in this field of research.