Due to its resistance to natural degradation and decomposition, plastic debris perseveres in the environment for centuries. As a lucrative material for packing industries and consumer products, plastics have become one of the major components of municipal solid waste today. The recycling of plastics is becoming difficult due to a lack of resource recovery facilities and a lack of efficient technologies to separate plastics from mixed solid waste streams. This has made oceans the hotspot for the dispersion and accumulation of plastic residues beyond landfills. This article reviews the sources, geographical occurrence, characteristics and recyclability of different types of plastic waste. This article presents a comprehensive summary of promising thermochemical technologies, such as pyrolysis, liquefaction and gasification, for the conversion of single-use plastic wastes to clean fuels. The operating principles, drivers and barriers for plastic-to-fuel technologies via pyrolysis (non-catalytic, catalytic, microwave and plasma), as well as liquefaction and gasification, are thoroughly discussed. Thermochemical co-processing of plastics with other organic waste biomass to produce high-quality fuel and energy products is also elaborated upon. Through this state-of-the-art review, it is suggested that, by investing in the research and development of thermochemical recycling technologies, one of the most pragmatic issues today, i.e., plastics waste management, can be sustainably addressed with a greater worldwide impact.

The management of solid waste poses a worldwide obstacle in the pursuit of a sustainable society. This issue has intensified with the increase in waste production caused by rapid population expansion, industrialization, and urbanization. The continuously growing volume of municipal solid waste, particularly the substantial volume of organic waste, along with improper disposal practices, results in the release of greenhouse gases and other harmful airborne substances which simultaneously causes health risks and socioeconomic concerns. This article examines various waste-to-energy (energy production in the form of heat and electricity) concepts as well as waste-to-materials (various value-added materials including biofuel, biochemical, char, bio-oil, soil fertilizer, etc.) methods of converting municipal solid waste into environmentally friendly fuels, which appear to be economically feasible and attractive. It starts with a thorough analysis of the characteristics of municipal solid waste followed by the generation procedure. The study provides an overview of different thermochemical conversion methods including incineration, pyrolysis, co-pyrolysis, liquefaction, hydrothermal carbonization, gasification, combustion for transformation of municipal solid waste, and their recent advancement. The review comprehensively discussed the pros and cons of each method highlighting their strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats to transforming MSW. The current state of municipal solid waste management, including effective dumping and deviation, is comprehensively assessed, along with the prospects and challenges involved. Energy justice concepts and fuzzy logic tool is used to address the selection criteria for choosing the best waste treatment techniques. Moreover, several recommendations are offered to enhance the existing solid waste management system. This review could assist scholars, researchers, authorities, and stakeholders in making informed decisions regarding MSW management.

The iron and steelmaking industries play a significant role in the manufacturing sector but result in significant greenhouse gas emissions. Biochar has recently gained attention as a potential substitute for coal in metallurgical processes due to its carbon capture potential. This review explores the potential of biochar as a sustainable substitute for coal in steelmaking industries. Notable research works have shown that substituting biochar in amounts ranging from as low as 5 % to as high as 50 % can be feasible and beneficial in processes such as coke making, iron sintering, blast furnaces, and electric furnaces. The information presented in this review can be applied to create sustainable and competitive alternatives to fossil fuels to help decarbonize metallurgical industries.

Pineapple is a highly nutritious and widely consumed fruit in Bangladesh, yet postharvest losses continue to increase due to inadequate preservation technology. This study is aimed at developing and evaluating a natural convective solar dryer as a sustainable solution to reduce these losses while preserving fruit quality. The dryer’s performance was assessed by measuring drying temperature, solar radiation, and moisture reduction across treated and untreated pineapple samples. During the drying process, the average temperature within the dryer reached 40.73 ± 6.79°C, with solar radiation averaging 254.67 ± 141.50 W/m ² and an observed 12.6°C temperature difference between the dryer chimney and ambient air. Results showed a final moisture content of 19% and 21% (wet basis) for treated and untreated samples, respectively, in the solar dryer, compared to 46.57% and 35.06% in open sun drying. The nutritional analysis indicated a significant retention and enhancement of vitamin, protein, and mineral content in dried samples. Consumer sensory evaluations confirmed the high acceptability of the solar‐dried pineapple, demonstrating that this solar dryer is technically effective, eco‐friendly, and well suited for small‐scale farmers in rural Bangladesh.