Instead of being disposed of in landfills, the organic portion of municipal solid waste, like as food scraps and garden debris, can be transformed into valuable energy products, according to a recent study from Tezpur University. The results support the idea of a circular economy, in which waste is viewed as a resource, and offer a workable solution to the expanding municipal solid waste (MSW) problems. Under the direction of Prof. Rupam Kataki of Tezpur University’s Department of Energy, Mondita Athporia, a PhD candidate, oversaw the work.
Two reputable Elsevier journals, Fuel and Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, have published the research findings. Over two billion tonnes of municipal solid trash are produced annually worldwide, and by 2050, this amount is predicted to increase dramatically. Over 160,000 metric tonnes of MSW are produced every day in India, according to estimates. Improper handling of this waste’s organic component might result in significant contamination and environmental hazards. Pyrolysis, a process that heats organic waste in a regulated, low-oxygen atmosphere, is the subject of the study.
Pyrolysis converts waste into three useful products: bio-oil, biochar, and gases. The bio-oil has higher energy value and fuel-like properties similar to diesel and gasoline, while the porous biochar can improve soil health. By controlling the heating process, researchers better understood the reactions and energy needs, helping scale waste-to-energy systems. Overall, this approach turns harmful waste into valuable resources, reduces landfill use and methane emissions, and supports a more sustainable circular economy.