Plasma gasification of municipal solid waste: a life cycle thinking perspective on energy, emissions, and economic feasibility

Plasma gasification is an emerging waste-to-energy technology that offers a sustainable pathway for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management by converting waste into clean syngas and inert vitrified slag. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of plasma gasification with a focus on energy recovery, emission reduction, and economic feasibility using a Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) approach. The analysis reveals that while plasma gasification significantly reduces landfill dependence and greenhouse gas emissions, it remains constrained by high capital and operational costs, limited commercialization, and moderate community readiness levels. Co-gasification with plastic and pre-sorted waste can enhance energy yields and process efficiency. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), and Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) demonstrate the technology's potential for environmental benefits, long-term economic returns, and social gains such as job creation. However, issues like process complexity, safety concerns, and policy limitations hinder its widespread adoption. This review identifies critical research gaps and recommends future directions in plasma torch design, reactor efficiency, and stakeholder engagement to make plasma gasification a viable and scalable solution for urban waste management and circular economy integration.