Pyrolysis of Plastic And Mixed Waste as a Sustainable Alternative for Municipal Solid Waste Management
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18800/kawsaypacha.202601.A013Keywords:
Pyrolysis, Thermochemistry, Urban solid waste, Circular economy, El SalvadorAbstract
This literature review analyzes pyrolysis as a sustainable and technological tool for the management of municipal solid waste, especially plastics, biomass, and mixed waste. A reading of 131 open-access scientific studies indexed in the Dimensions database was done, of which 29 were considered evidence of how pyrolysis transforms waste into useful products such as biochar, bio-oil, and combustible gases, contributing to energy generation. Mixed waste containing plastics with low or no biodegradability that increases its energy yield, and is further enhanced by some catalysts such as zeolites that increase the efficiency of the process. Biochar stands out not only as a fuel but also for its ability to improve soil properties. Bio-oils can be used as a raw material for other fuels such as biodiesel, and combustible gases can be used as a source of fire or in internal combustion engines. In addition, the important variables of each study are summarized for subsequent replication or discussion, such as pyrolysis temperature, waste composition, and residence time. In order to reduce the volume of waste in landfills and encourage the use of renewable energy, this research encourages strengthening cooperation among researchers, the development of public policies that promote environmental quality, and cooperation with authorities and communities to make this solution viable and an opportunity to generate ecological value by mitigating plastics, and energy value by synthesizing information about al alternative to fossil fuels.
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