Municipal solid waste biorefinery for sustainable production of bioenergy

Abstract Municipal solid waste (MSW) is produced globally in huge quantities and generates problems associated with its processing and final disposal in environmentally friendly and economical ways. Its judicious use, on the other hand, keeping in mind the nutrient and energy content, opens up many avenues for utilization as an economic, abundant, and sustainable source for generating renewable energy, value-added products, and chemicals in a waste biorefinery-based approach. The main aim of this chapter is to provide up-to-date information related to MSW biorefinery in a global perspective. The biotechnological advancements in MSW to energy conversion processes via biochemical route are discussed with an overview of the developed technologies. The challenges faced by current MSW biorefining technologies and their potential solutions are also highlighted in this chapter, with a focus on prospects of MSW biorefinery in the sustainable development of bioenergy.