A comprehensive review of food waste: composition, current management, thermal treatment, valorization into bioproducts and sustainable development goals linkages

The improper management of food waste (FW) in developing nations causes environmental and hygienic problems and is a major threat to sustainable development. It is projected that the production of FW will increase by 33% globally over the next 10 years, resulting in an estimated 1.6 billion tons of waste per year and an economic loss of $1.2 trillion, with between 50 and 60% coming from post-consumer sources. Moving from a linear to a circular economy, where waste is a resource for new products like fuels and chemicals, is essential to achieving sustainable waste management. The results of 119 studies published between 2010 and 2024 are compiled in this study, which offers a thorough examination of FW recycling options. These possibilities include the three thermal treatment processes—combustion, pyrolysis, and gasification—that can yield biofuels and biochar. The possibility of converting FW into biofuels, biofertilizers, charcoal, and bioplastics through biological and biochemical processes is also investigated. This study is novel in that it emphasizes decentralized, regionally-specific approaches to managing packaging waste, especially single-use plastics, and connects FW valorization to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN).