Recuperação energética de resíduos sólidos urbanos: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract

Global economic and population growth has significantly contributed to the increase in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation. A substantial share of this waste is still disposed of in open dumpsites and controlled landfills, which cause considerable environmental impacts and contribute to climate change. One of the predominant drivers of climate change is the high dependence on fossil fuels, which exacerbates the issue through pollutant emissions into the atmosphere. Within this context, Waste to Energy (WtE) technologies, designed to recover energy from MSW, emerge as a management alternative that simultaneously addresses environmental, energy, and socioeconomic dimensions. Furthermore, in the pursuit of diversifying the energy matrix, WtE solutions gain additional relevance, particularly for their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Given the importance of this subject, the present study undertakes a systematic review, applying bibliometric methods to identify thematic axes, leading authors, key journals, commonly used keywords, and the most relevant articles published between 2020 and 2025, alongside the WtE technologies employed in these studies. The Web of Science (WoS) database served as the source for article retrieval, while Excel and VOSviewer software were utilized for data mapping, processing, and visualization. During the analyzed period, 816 articles were published in the field. The most frequently used keyword was “waste to energy,” whereas, among MSW-to-energy conversion technologies, “anaerobic digestion” was the most recurrent. The journals with the highest number of publications were Energies, Journal of Cleaner Production, and Sustainability. Altogether, the 816 articles involved 3,212 contributing authors, with Abdulaziz Atabani standing out as the most frequently cited.The systematic review of the most relevant contributions highlighted anaerobic digestion as the predominant treatment option. Gasification was explored in two studies, in conjunction with simulation programs, emerging as a distinct thematic axis. Overall, the energy recovery of MSW is strongly aligned with environmental concerns, and a comprehensive understanding of both environmental and socioeconomic aspects of siting is essential to maximize the benefits of the adopted technology.