Encouraging circular economy and sustainable environmental practices by addressing waste management and biomass energy production

doi:10.1016/j.regsus.2024.100174

Abstract

Abstract:

The current linear economy assumes abundant, easily accessible, and cost-effective natural resources. However, this assumption is unsustainable, especially considering the world’s current trajectory exceeding the Earth’s ecological limits. In contrast, circular economy (CE) reduces wastes and improves resource efficiency, making them a more sustainable alternative to the dominant linear model. Biomass energy generated from agricultural leftovers, forestry wastes, and municipal trash provides a renewable substitute for fossil fuels. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves energy security. Proper waste management, including trash reduction, recycling, and innovative waste-to-energy technology, reduces the burden on landfills and incineration and creates renewable energy from materials that would otherwise go to waste. Although integrating these techniques is consistent with the CE’s resource efficiency and waste minimization principles, it requires addressing environmental, technical, and socioeconomic challenges. Given the pressing global issues, transitioning to a CE and implementing sustainable environmental practices are crucial to mitigate the current waste management crisis. The aim of this study is to emphasize the viability of biomass as a source of sustainable energy, the necessity of comprehensive strategies that prioritize ecological sustainability, community involvement, and innovation to achieve a circular principle based future, and the potential obstacles to the implementation of sustainable environmental practices. This study will aid in implementing CE practices to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and landfill loads. Beyond environmental benefits, it can also bring economic, social, and health improvements. Furthermore, this study will assist societies in addressing global issues, such as resource scarcity, pollution, and climate change, as well as transitioning to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Key words: Circular economy, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Waste management, Greenhouse gas emissions, Biomass energy, Microbial fuel cell

Nazim Forid ISLAM, Bhoirob GOGOI, Rimon SAIKIA, Balal YOUSAF, Mahesh NARAYAN, Hemen SARMA. Encouraging circular economy and sustainable environmental practices by addressing waste management and biomass energy production[J]. Regional Sustainability, 2024, 5(4): 100174.

Figures/Tables 6

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Type of energy generated plant	Source of biomass	Amount of biomass used in the production of energy (EJ)
Type of energy generated plant	Source of biomass	2010	2015	2020
Electricity only plants	Municipal waste	0.57	0.62	0.65
	Industrial waste	0.23	0.27	0.29
	Liquid biofuel	0.00	0.00	0.00
	Biogas	0.31	0.45	0.44
	Solid biomass	1.43	2.20	3.93
Heat only plants	Municipal waste	0.10	0.08	0.08
	Industrial waste	0.10	0.12	0.17
	Liquid biofuel	0.00	0.00	0.00
	Biogas	0.01	0.01	0.01
	Solid biomass	0.23	0.27	0.32
Combined heat and power plants	Municipal waste	0.41	0.54	0.58
	Industrial waste	0.14	0.14	0.16
	Liquid biofuel	0.00	0.00	0.00
	Biogas	0.15	0.32	0.40
	Solid biomass	1.24	1.70	2.29

Energy by-products	Conversion technology	Energy outcome	Sources of biomass	Reference
Biohydrogen (H₂)	Combustion and anaerobic fermentation	Heat and electricity	Agricultural biomass, forest biomass, municipal solid waste, animal waste, and industrial waste	Kalak (2023)
Syngas (CO+H₂+CH₄)	Gasification and pyrolysis	Electricity, methanol, alkanes, and synthetic diesel	Agricultural biomass, forest biomass, municipal solid waste, animal waste, and industrial waste	Nanda and Berruti (2021)
Biochar (carbon+ash, a form of charcoal)	Pyrolysis	Heat	Agricultural biomass, animal waste, and municipal solid waste	Nanda and Berruti (2021)
Pyrolysis oil	Pyrolysis	Fossil fuel and power	Agricultural biomass, animal waste, and municipal solid waste	Nanda and Berruti (2021)
Bioethanol	Anaerobic fermentation	Electricity	Agricultural biomass, animal waste, municipal solid waste, and industrial waste	Dave et al. (2019)
Biogas (methane)	Anaerobic digestion	Heat and electricity for engines, fuel cells, and microturbines	Agricultural biomass, animal waste, municipal solid waste, and industrial waste	Kalak (2023)
Biodiesel (methyl esters of fatty acids)	Transesterification	Heat, fuel energy, and electricity	Agricultural biomass, forest biomass, municipal solid waste, animal waste, and industrial waste	Lee et al. (2019)