WASTE TO ENERGY: SUSTAINABLE APPROACH FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

With the advent of urbanization and globalization began the saga of ever-increasing consumerism and capitalism. To keep up with the developed nations, the developing countries too were quick to draw level resulting in their unbridled economic growth. Population growth directly contributes to increased waste generation. Over the years Indian population has jumped from 1028 million in 2001 to 1324 million in 2017. India alone chips in one-third of the total waste production in the world, yet is the least efficient in waste management. It generates more than 62 million tonnes of waste, of which less than 60% is collected and even less, about only 15% is actually processed and converted into something productive. Thus the need of the hour is to accept the gravity of the situation and start developing efficient and cost-effective measures to solve the problem and safeguard the environment. A plausible solution to manage the under-estimated trash is to convert it into something as treasured as energy and fuel, which many developed countries have already implemented. The substantial stockpile of waste can be circumvented by uncapping its potential to generate functional by-products like heat, fuel, energy and electricity by using what is called as Waste to Energy (WTE) technology. The focus thus should now move from traditional landfills, open dumps and incineration to proficient waste management systems like thermal treatment methods, biological treatment methods, landfill gas utilization, mechanical biological treatment and biorefineries. Off late even better technologies have come up, including biohydrogen generation from municipal solid waste (MSW). This review paper describes various cutting-edge technologies employed across the globe to effectively convert waste into energy and pave the way for a sustainable future for all.