Environmental Impact and Energy Potential of Solid Waste Management Systems and Technologies

Dear Colleagues,

Solid waste management systems and technologies play a critical role in shaping environmental outcomes and harnessing energy potential from waste materials. As global waste generation escalates due to rapid urbanization and industrial activity, the development of sustainable, energy-efficient, and environmentally responsible waste treatment strategies is becoming increasingly vital. This Special Issue focuses on evaluating and advancing integrated solid waste management systems that not only mitigate environmental impacts—such as greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and resource depletion—but also optimize the recovery of energy through technologies like waste-to-energy conversion, pyrolysis, and biorefineries.

From collection and transport to treatment and final disposal, each stage of the waste management value chain offers opportunities to reduce ecological harm and enhance energy yield. Advanced technologies such as mechanical–biological treatment (MBT), recycling, and thermal processing are examined for their performance, emission profiles, and energy outputs. Additionally, the Issue explores the environmental impacts of illegal practices such as open burning or waste fires.

To support evidence-based improvements in system design and technology deployment, this Issue highlights the application of robust analytical tools such as life cycle assessment (LCA), material and energy flow analysis, and exergy analysis. Contributions are welcomed that offer multidisciplinary insights into the environmental and energy performance, technical viability, and socio-economic implications of solid waste management systems.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Environmental and energy performance across the waste management value chain.
• Optimization of collection and transport systems for energy and emissions efficiency.
• Selective collection strategies and their impact on material and energy recovery.
• Role and efficiency of material recovery facilities and sorting technologies.
• Mechanical–biological treatment (MBT) and its environmental and energy metrics.
• Recycling technologies and recovery of secondary raw materials.
• Biowaste biorefineries and their integration into circular economy models.
• Thermal treatment processes including pyrolysis and incineration for energy recovery.
• Design and control of waste-to-energy (WtE) plants and emission systems.
• Production and application of refuse-derived fuels (RDFs).
• Life cycle and exergy assessments of waste treatment technologies.
• Impacts of open burning, waste fires, and illegal disposal on air quality and ecosystems.
• Integration of solid waste management with broader environmental management frameworks.

This Special Issue invites original research, reviews, and case studies that contribute to more sustainable, energy-productive, and environmentally sound waste management systems.

Dr. Katarzyna Grzesik
Dr. Robert Oleniacz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• waste management
• solid waste management
• municipal waste management
• waste collection
• recycling
• waste treatment
• waste-to-energy
• pyrolysis
• energy recovery
• energy efficiency
• refuse-derived fuel (RDF)
• mechanical–biological treatment
• biorefinery
• biowaste
• life cycle assessment (LCA)
• material flow analysis (MFA)
• environmental impact
• techno-economic analysis (TEA)
• waste landfill
• illegal dumping
• open burning
• waste fire
• air pollution
• circular economy