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 :
- World Bank. (2018). What a Waste 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050. https://hdl.handle.net/10986/30317
- 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
- Boerrigter, H., & Rauch, R. (2006). Review of Applications of Biomass Gasification https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228622716
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Basu, P. (2010). Biomass Gasification and Pyrolysis: Practical Design and Theory. Academic Press. https://doi:10.1016/C2009-0-64825-8
- 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
- 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
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2019). Circular Economy in Action: Closing the Loop on Methanol. https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/resources/
- European Commission. (2020). The Role of Renewable Fuels in Achieving Net-Zero Emissions by 2050. https://ec.europa.eu/research/
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Bai, M., et al. (2020). Methanol Economy in China: Current Practices and Future Perspectives. Energy Policy. https://doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2019.111257
- Ducharme, A. (2021). India's Roadmap to Waste-to-Energy Projects. Journal of Clean Energy. https://doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124973
- United Nations. (2015). Sustainable Development Goals. https://sdgs.un.org/goals
- IEA (International Energy Agency). (2021). Global Energy Review: Tracking Sustainable Development. https://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2021
- 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
- EPA (2021). "Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste, and Recycling." https://www.epa.gov
- European Commission. (2020). Circular Economy Action Plan. https://ec.europa.eu
- Eurostat (2020). "Waste Statistics - Municipal Waste." https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Ministry of Environment Japan (2020). "Annual Report on the Environment in Japan." https://www.env.go.jp
- Ministry of Environment Japan. (2020). Waste Management Policies in Japan. https://www.env.go.jp
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2019). The Role of Renewable Fuels in Decarbonization. https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org
- European Commission. (2021). EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/ets_en
- Government of India. (2021). Swachh Bharat Mission: Urban Framework. https://sbm.gov.in
- 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
- Basu, P. (2010). Biomass Gasification and Pyrolysis: Design and Theory. Academic Press. https://doi:10.1016/C2009-0-64825-8
- Netherlands Government. (2020). Top Sectors Policy for Sustainable Innovation. https://www.government.nl
- IEA (International Energy Agency). (2021). Global Energy Review. https://www.iea.org
- UN Environment. (2018). International Policies on Waste-to-Energy Technologies. Retrieved from: https://www.unep.org
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- European Commission. (2021). Horizon 2020 and Renewable Energy Investments. https://ec.europa.eu
- United Nations. (2015). Sustainable Development Goals. https://sdgs.un.org/goals
- 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
- IRENA. (2020). The Role of Standards in Advancing Renewable Energy. https://www.irena.org
- 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.