Beyond conventional landfill models: A digital and multi-physics framework for predictive waste management and biogas recovery

The energy created from municipal solid waste through the method of mechanization is the primary focus of our research as we believe in utilizing waste and finding a renewable resource for biogas production. Methanization is one of the most promising and innovative ways to minimize the volume of waste in landfills by transforming it into a source of renewable energy (biogas) and producing digestate (as a soil improvement product) on a commercial scale. This study goes beyond the conventional comparative review of individual landfill models by proposing an integrated, decision-oriented framework that connects hydrological, contaminant transport, biogas, geotechnical, digital monitoring, and socio-economic assessment tools into a unified architecture for predictive and sustainable landfill management. This article will compare and contrast hydrological models (HELP, HYDRUS), biogas models (LandGEM, Kinetic), geotechnics and socio-economic models in regard to their strengths, weaknesses and how they complement one another. It will demonstrate the potential for anaerobic digestion to convert municipal solid waste into biogas for energy recovery as well as the role of digital technologies (AI, IoT, GIS) to optimise management practices. Finally, this article advocates the circular approach to waste by integrating reduce, recycle and reuse into a policy framework with recommendations for developing nations.