Conversion of Waste Materials and CO2 into Useful Products

There is a need for financial and ecological sustainability because of the uncontrollable rate at which resources are being depleted today. Thus, current and future generations must preserve, use, and manage all resources. “Waste” means useless, futile. Waste generates wealth and jobs but is poorly managed. Plastic is used for bags, pouches, pet bottles, electric switches, computer accessories, automobile accessories, and more due to its high tensile strength, portability, durability, lightweight, elasticity, corrosion resistance, and other properties. Like plastic, human civilization relies on natural resources (agricultural or forestry) for food and energy. Disposal issues arise from the cultivation and processing of biomasses. Municipal waste from daily human activity must be recycled to reduce environmental pollution. Global energy consumption has grown 50% in the last few decades and is expected to grow 50% more by 2050. Biomass-based renewable energy and CO2 conversion research has increased to meet Paris Agreement goals and fossil fuel depletion. Over the last two decades, biofuels from agricultural or forestry residues have received particular attention. Biomass, abundant and cheap, can supply ~14% of the world's energy through efficient biochemical or thermochemical conversion. Biodiesels had improved combustion efficiency, flash point, cetane number, sulfur-free nature, lower CO2 emissions, and engine lubrication. Those made from the efficient biochemical conversion of edible/nonedible biomass feedstocks store and transport better than conventional fossil fuels like petrol/diesel. Waste plastic/biomass and CO2 from rapid development must be recycled or converted into industrial chemicals with a pollution reduction and boosts profits. This chapter covers waste-to-wealth conversion trends like plastic waste to granules for construction, municipal waste/biomass for CH4 production, thermal energy generation by co-combusting in power plants, biodiesel production from waste biomass, and carbon dioxide storage and utilization for valuable chemical production.