# Municipal solid waste gasification for resilient energy systems: advancing sustainable crisis preparedness in the wake of COVID-19

## TL;DR

This paper explores using gasification to convert municipal waste into energy, showing environmental and economic benefits for sustainable waste management during crises like the pandemic.

## Contribution

The study provides a novel LCA and techno-economic analysis of MSW gasification in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, emphasizing crisis resilience and sustainability.

## Key findings

- Gasification reduces climate change impact by −100 kg CO2 eq. per ton of waste processed.
- The system generates $516,474 yearly with a 4.8-year return and 208% ROI.
- The technology supports SDG 7, SDG 12, and SDG 13 while addressing pandemic-related waste issues.

## Abstract

The pandemic increased global waste problems, especially medical and MSW (Municipal Solid Waste), showing the urgent need for sustainability. This research evaluates the environmental and economic sustainability of transforming MSW into syngas and electricity via gasification, using life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis. This research simulates syngas production and energy recovery for a 50-ton-per-day gasification plant, with a focus on waste disposal in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The LCA findings reveal substantial overall reductions in environmental impacts, with a climate change benefit of −100 kg CO2 eq. per ton of waste processed, alongside offsets in fossil depletion (−32.5 kg oil eq.) and particulate matter formation (−0.025 kg PM2.5 eq.). Financially, the system is sound, generating $516,474 yearly, with a 4.8-year return and 208% return on investment (ROI). The research supports various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 7, SDG 12, and SDG 13, while also addressing waste issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pilot-scale validation is necessary to address real-world variability when relying on simulated data. The results support gasification as a robust, circular technology for enhancing general MSW management resilience, providing policymakers with a path for transitioning MSW waste to energy in cities and during emergencies.