Waste-to-Energy Technologies for Circular Economy

Abstract

A transition toward a circular economy (CE) is a move to minimize wastage, ensure full exploitation of resources and attain sustainability. Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technologies are also necessary because they convert municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes into energy forms that may be used as electricity, heat and biofuels. The paper examines how WtE systems can be part of the concept of the circular economy using a combination of both primary data (interview with 150 individuals) and secondary literature sources. It has been found out that there is a high level of understanding of renewable energy and low understanding of WtE application in sustainable systems. The paper shall provide a comparison of the performance, efficacy and difficulties of the significant technologies in use, such as incineration, anaerobic digestion, gasification, and pyrolysis and also indicate the economic and environmental benefits that they bring. These findings suggest that the WtE development at mass level needs proper policy frameworks, millions of people, and research and development of technologies. The research reaches the conclusion that WtE can be an energy solution and a waste management strategy which turns out to be the obligatory linkage on the global cyclical economy.