Alternatives and Benchmarking for Implementations of Waste-to-Energy from Municipal Solid Waste: A Systematic Review

This article investigates technological choices for Waste-to-Energy (WtE) implementations in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management. It identified challenges and opportunities, thereby transforming the perspective of MSW from waste into a valuable resource. The methodology included a systematic literature review, following PICO and PRISMA protocols. The analysis included 118 open-access review articles, published between 2018 and 2024, from Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, concerning thermochemical, biochemical, and chemical technologies. Key challenges for new implementations include economic barriers, social issues, and regulatory shortcomings. Opportunities arise from education, supportive policies, and lessons learned from developed countries such as Germany and Japan. Limitations include the focus on specific databases and the potential oversight of data from other sources or unexamined data. Implications for future research should expand coverage as well as assess longer periods to enhance MSW valorization. Implications also include guidance for public managers and policymakers in formulating MSW management strategies, including policies, WtE technology selection, public education, and reducing misinformation to boost implementation and social acceptance of WtE initiatives. Effective WtE implementation improves public health and the environmental performance of regions by reducing landfills and generating economic and employment opportunities for vulnerable communities. The study’s originality lies in bridging a significant research gap on WtE implementation through a comprehensive examination of its challenges and opportunities. By integrating international experiences and lessons learned, it generates guidance for the sustainable development of MSW management systems.