A review on bridging the energy-waste Academy of Scientific and Innovative Resenexus: The role of refuse-derived fuel in sustainable energy transitions in India
Restricted accessReview articleFirst published online 2026
A review on bridging the energy-waste Academy of Scientific and Innovative Resenexus: The role of refuse-derived fuel in sustainable energy transitions in India
This critical review examines the potential of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from municipal solid waste (MSW) as a transformative solution for India’s waste management and energy challenges. With rapid urbanization generating over 150,000 tons of MSW daily in India, RDF offers a dual benefit: reducing landfill dependency while providing an alternative fuel. Through an extensive analysis of peer-reviewed literature, government reports, and case studies from Indian and international waste-to-energy (WtE) facilities, this review evaluates current technological approaches, regulatory frameworks, and economic factors influencing RDF adoption in the Indian context. RDF can substitute significant share of fossil fuels in cement kilns and power plants while reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional landfilling. However, successful deployment faces significant barriers including feedstock heterogeneity, inadequate preprocessing infrastructure, inconsistent emission standards, and limited financial incentives. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts: standardized quality protocols, robust regulatory frameworks, technological innovations for emission control, and policy-driven incentives such as carbon credits and subsidies. The review identifies critical gaps in India’s RDF ecosystem and provides recommendations for integrating RDF into circular economy (CE) strategies. Key insights include the necessity of region-specific quality standards, investment in preprocessing infrastructure, and community engagement models that ensure sustainable waste segregation. By synthesizing evidence on RDF’s technical viability, environmental benefits, and implementation challenges specific to India, this review serves as a resource for policymakers, researchers, and industries working toward sustainable WtE solutions.
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