Energy From Waste: Future Prospects Toward Sustainable Development

Abstract For future sustainability, there is great concern for the steady supply of affordable, renewable and clean energy sources with minimum societal and environmental damage. To meet growing energy demands, solid waste is a great hope among the available renewable energy sources. Incineration dominates the waste-to-energy (WTE) market all over the world, and specifically in developed countries. After thermal processes, anaerobic digestion is the emerging technology in clean energy production. Incineration is one of the thermal processes with low environmental impact and reduces the waste volume to be dumped in landfills. For the evaluation of the environmental impact of WTE technology, life-cycle assessment helps to find a suitable option for a particular region. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and generation of alternatives to fossil fuels are major goals of WTE. Moreover, the development of compact, cost-saving, yet highly efficient technologies are required, with the best solutions for the disposal/utilization of filter ashes and residues from air pollution control devices.