A bibliometric-informed comprehensive review on the climate impacts of waste materials, management operations, and infrastructure

The management of waste materials is a critical factor in addressing climate change due to its significant contribution to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane and carbon dioxide. Inefficient disposal practices in landfills, incineration, and transportation of waste exacerbate environmental degradation. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the climate impacts of different waste management systems, including landfilling, recycling, and Waste-to-Energy (WTE) technologies. Furthermore, a detailed bibliometric analysis is performed to map the knowledge domain’s emerging trends, key researchers, and collaboration networks. The combined analysis highlights the importance of adopting sustainable waste management strategies such as circular economy models, energy recovery, and improved infrastructure to reduce emissions. The review emphasizes the role of policy frameworks and innovative technologies in minimizing the carbon footprint of waste materials, with an emphasis on global best practices and case studies. The study aims to inform policymakers and urban planners on optimizing waste management systems to mitigate climate change and enhance urban resilience. • Reviews the climate impacts of waste materials, operations, and infrastructure. • Identifies landfilling and incineration as major greenhouse gas sources. • Highlights circular economy and waste-to-energy as key mitigation strategies. • Reveals strong global collaboration and rising research interest in this field. • Offers policy insights for sustainable and climate-resilient waste management.