From Waste to Value: Routes for Converting Solid Waste into Sustainable Materials, Fuels, and Energy

The increasing generation of solid waste has become a critical environmental and economic challenge worldwide, demanding innovative strategies for sustainable management and resource recovery. In this context, the conversion of solid waste into green materials has emerged as a promising approach to reduce environmental impacts associated with waste disposal. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the transformation of various solid waste streams (including agricultural residues, food waste, industrial by-products, and municipal solid waste) into value-added green materials. Particular emphasis is placed on innovative synthesis processes such as thermochemical conversion, hydrothermal treatments, biological transformations, and advanced physicochemical methods that enable the production of functional materials with enhanced properties. The review also discusses the potential applications of these materials in areas such as environmental remediation, catalysis, energy storage, and construction materials. Overall, the valorization of solid waste into green materials represents a sustainable pathway to reduce environmental burdens while generating high-value products for diverse industrial sectors.