Policy Framework for Supporting Methanol Production from Municipal Solid Waste: A Global Perspective


Authors : Ayesha Liaquat; Iqra Farooq; Maryum Ali; Sania Ijaz

Volume/Issue : Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 12 - December

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3df6dkyk

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/mvzutpfp

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14591360

Abstract : The increasing challenges posed by municipal solid waste (MSW) management and rising energy demands have prompted the need for innovative solutions that integrate waste-to-energy technologies. Methanol production from MSW presents a promising pathway for sustainable energy generation, combining environmental benefits with economic potential. This paper examines global policy frameworks and their effectiveness in supporting methanol production from MSW, focusing on key enablers such as financial incentives, regulatory mechanisms and technological advancements. Comparative analysis of policies across regions highlights the best practices and identifies barriers to widespread implementation. While developed nations benefit from robust waste management systems and advanced technologies, developing countries face challenges due to limited infrastructure and policy gaps. The study underscores the necessity of cohesive international collaborations, public-private partnerships and targeted policy interventions to promote methanol production as a viable energy solution. Recommendations include fostering innovation through research grants, implementing carbon credits and streamlining regulations to create conducive environments for waste- to-methanol conversion. This framework can significantly contribute to global sustainability goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, addressing waste management challenges and diversifying energy sources.

Keywords : Methanol Production, Municipal Solid Waste, Policy Framework, Waste-to-Energy, Sustainable Energy.

References :

  1. World Bank. (2018). What a Waste 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050. https://hdl.handle.net/10986/30317
  2. Olah, G. A., Goeppert, A., & Prakash, G. K. S. (2011). Beyond Oil and Gas: The Methanol Economy. Wiley-VCH. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.200462121
  3. Boerrigter, H., & Rauch, R. (2006). Review of Applications of Biomass Gasification https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228622716
  4. Arena, U. (2012). Process and Technological Aspects of Municipal Solid Waste Gasification: A Review. Waste Management

https://doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2011.09.025

  1. Bridgwater, A. V. (2003). Renewable Fuels and Chemicals by Thermal Processing of Biomass. Chemical Engineering Journal. https://doi:10.1016/S1385-8947(02)00142-0
  2. Consonni, S., & Viganò, F. (2012). Waste Gasification vs. Conventional Waste-to-Energy: A Comparative Evaluation of Efficiency and Environmental Impact. Waste Management. https://doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2011.09.025
  3. Basu, P. (2010). Biomass Gasification and Pyrolysis: Practical Design and Theory. Academic Press. https://doi:10.1016/C2009-0-64825-8
  4. Chen, D., Yin, L., Wang, H., & He, P. (2014). Pyrolysis Technologies for Municipal Solid Waste: A Review. Waste Management                                                                  https://doi:10.1016j.wasman.2014.04.013
  5. Arena, U., & Di Gregorio, F. (2014). Energy Recovery from Waste: A State-of-the-Art Review. Waste and Biomass Valorization. https://doi:10.1007/s12649-014-9357-7
  6. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2019). Circular Economy in Action: Closing the Loop on Methanol. https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/resources/
  7. European Commission. (2020). The Role of Renewable Fuels in Achieving Net-Zero Emissions by 2050. https://ec.europa.eu/research/
  8. Kumar, S., et al. (2017). Challenges and Opportunities Associated with Waste-to-Energy Technologies. Renewable Energy. https://doi:10.1016/j.renene.2016.09.065
  9. Hoornweg, D., & Bhada-Tata, P. (2012). What a Waste: A Global Review of Solid Waste Management. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1329-0
  10. Rezaei, M., et al. (2015). Catalytic Conversion of Syngas to Methanol: A Review of Recent Developments. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. https://doi:10.1016/j.rser.2015.01.002
  11. Malkow, T. (2004). Novel and Innovative Pyrolysis and Gasification Technologies for Energy Efficient and Environmentally Sound MSW Disposal. Waste Management. https://doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2004.02.018
  12. Bai, M., et al. (2020). Methanol Economy in China: Current Practices and Future Perspectives. Energy Policy. https://doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2019.111257
  13. Ducharme, A. (2021). India's Roadmap to Waste-to-Energy Projects. Journal of Clean Energy. https://doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124973
  14. United Nations. (2015). Sustainable Development Goals. https://sdgs.un.org/goals
  15. IEA (International Energy Agency). (2021). Global Energy Review: Tracking Sustainable Development. https://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2021
  16. Yang Y, Liew RK, Tamothran AM, Foong SY, Yek PNY, Chia PW, et al. Gasification of refuse-derived fuel from municipal solid waste for energy production: a review. Environ Chem Lett. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-020- 01177-5
  17. EPA (2021). "Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste, and Recycling."  https://www.epa.gov
  18. European Commission. (2020). Circular Economy Action Plan. https://ec.europa.eu
  19. Eurostat (2020). "Waste Statistics - Municipal Waste." https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat
  20. Kumar, S., et al. (2022). Waste-to-Energy Technologies in India: Challenges and Opportunities. Renewable Energy. https://doi:10.1016/j.renene.2021.09.048
  21. Zhang, Y., et al. (2020). "Municipal Solid Waste Management in China: Status and Challenges." Waste Management. https://doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2020.01.015
  22. Al-Khatib, I. A., et al. (2021). "Solid Waste Management Trends in the Middle East." Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. https://doi:10.1007/s10661-020-08736-6
  23. Hoornweg, D., & Bhada-Tata, P. (2012). What a Waste: A Global Review of Solid Waste Management. World Bank. https://doi:10.1596/978-1-4648-1329-0
  24. Ministry of Environment Japan (2020). "Annual Report on the Environment in Japan." https://www.env.go.jp
  25. Ministry of Environment Japan. (2020). Waste Management Policies in Japan. https://www.env.go.jp
  26. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2019). The Role of Renewable Fuels in Decarbonization.  https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org
  27. European Commission. (2021). EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/ets_en
  28. Government of India. (2021). Swachh Bharat Mission: Urban Framework. https://sbm.gov.in
  29. Rezaei, M., et al. (2015). Catalytic Conversion of Syngas to Methanol: A Review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. https://doi:10.1016/j.rser.2015.01.002
  30. Basu, P. (2010). Biomass Gasification and Pyrolysis: Design and Theory. Academic Press. https://doi:10.1016/C2009-0-64825-8
  31. Netherlands Government. (2020). Top Sectors Policy for Sustainable Innovation. https://www.government.nl
  32. IEA (International Energy Agency). (2021). Global Energy Review. https://www.iea.org
  33. UN Environment. (2018). International Policies on Waste-to-Energy Technologies. Retrieved from: https://www.unep.org
  34. Sajid, M., et al. (2022). "Gasification of municipal solid waste: Progress, challenges, and prospects." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112815
  35. Molino, A., et al. (2016). "Gasification of Plastic Waste as Waste-to-Energy or Waste-to-Syngas Recovery Route." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. https://doi:10.1016/j.rser.2016.01.006
  36. Xie, Q., et al. (2014). "Co-Gasification of Municipal Solid Waste and Sewage Sludge in an Entrained Flow Gasifier." Bioresource Technology. https://doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2013.11.093
  37. Kumar, S., et al. (2021). "Co-Gasification of Agricultural Residues and MSW: Insights and Challenges." Renewable Energy. https://doi:10.1016/j.renene.2021.03.001
  38. European Commission. (2021). Horizon 2020 and Renewable Energy Investments.  https://ec.europa.eu
  39. United Nations. (2015). Sustainable Development Goals. https://sdgs.un.org/goals
  40. Al-Khatib, I. A., et al. (2021). Solid Waste Management Trends in the Middle East. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. https://doi:10.1007/s10661-020-08736-6
  41. IRENA. (2020). The Role of Standards in Advancing Renewable Energy. https://www.irena.org
  42. Ducharme, A. (2021). India's Roadmap to Waste-to-Energy Projects. Journal of Clean Energy. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124973

The increasing challenges posed by municipal solid waste (MSW) management and rising energy demands have prompted the need for innovative solutions that integrate waste-to-energy technologies. Methanol production from MSW presents a promising pathway for sustainable energy generation, combining environmental benefits with economic potential. This paper examines global policy frameworks and their effectiveness in supporting methanol production from MSW, focusing on key enablers such as financial incentives, regulatory mechanisms and technological advancements. Comparative analysis of policies across regions highlights the best practices and identifies barriers to widespread implementation. While developed nations benefit from robust waste management systems and advanced technologies, developing countries face challenges due to limited infrastructure and policy gaps. The study underscores the necessity of cohesive international collaborations, public-private partnerships and targeted policy interventions to promote methanol production as a viable energy solution. Recommendations include fostering innovation through research grants, implementing carbon credits and streamlining regulations to create conducive environments for waste- to-methanol conversion. This framework can significantly contribute to global sustainability goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, addressing waste management challenges and diversifying energy sources.

Keywords : Methanol Production, Municipal Solid Waste, Policy Framework, Waste-to-Energy, Sustainable Energy.

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe