Advancing sustainable bioethanol production from organic waste by integrating life cycle modeling

• 153kg of bioethanol can be produced from every 1 ton of organic waste. • Photovoltaic energy reduced particulate matter formation from 67.8 (grid mix) to 0.766 kg PM 2.5 . • 528,329.631 million USD per year revenue for the bioethanol production plant. • Bioethanol production would produce clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. • Bioethanol could mitigate global warming and stabilize waste through size reduction. This study aims to optimize the environmental and economic benefits of producing bioethanol from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste in Pakistan. The country generates approximately 71,000 kg of OFMSW annually, yet no facility currently exists for its conversion into bioethanol. Leveraging the availability of OFMSW, this study designs a bioethanol production plant and evaluates its environmental sustainability through an attributional life cycle assessment using the ReCiPe (H) model. Results indicate that 154 kg of bioethanol can be produced from every 1 ton of organic waste. Compared to current landfilling practices, bioethanol production from OFMSW demonstrates lower environmental burdens, including climate change potential (3.05E-05 kg CO₂ eq), photochemical ozone formation (132 kg NOx eq), human toxicity (13.6 kg 1,4-DB eq), eutrophication potential (10.9 kg P eq), ozone depletion potential (0.0111 kg CFC-11 eq), and acidification potential (−5.39E-03 kg SO₂ eq). Scenario modelling assessed the integration of photovoltaic solar cells for electricity supply, showing a reduction in fine particulate matter emissions from 67.8 kg to 0.766 kg PM₂.₅ eq compared to grid electricity. Hotspot analysis identified key impact categories contributing to environmental burdens. The economic assessment revealed an annual revenue potential of approximately USD 528,330 from bioethanol sales. Overall, producing bioethanol from OFMSW presents a viable alternative fuel pathway that is both environmentally and economically beneficial, reduces landfill dependency, and supports the principles of a circular economy. This strategy contributes directly to achieving key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including responsible consumption and production, affordable clean energy, and climate action.