Systems engineering for waste-to-wealth: Sustainability-oriented process design, comprehensive assessment and system integration

Waste disposal involves complex social, economic, and environmental factors, making it a multifaceted problem. With advancements in technology and increased environmental awareness, there is a growing emphasis on turning waste into high value-added products. This review takes a system engineering perspective to hierarchically summarize recent research on the design, evaluation, and integration of waste valorization processes. First, it identifies waste-to-energy as a key area in waste valorization, with gasification emerging as a promising thermochemical conversion technology. Second, it underscores the importance of multi-dimensional assessments in evaluating system's feasibility. While techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment continue to be the main tools, the importance of incorporating social performance into assessment is highlighted. Additionally, this work identifies a clear trend toward integrating renewable energy and carbon-neutral technologies into waste-to-wealth systems. By systematically synthesizing recent research on waste-to-wealth conversion, this review aims to provide valuable insights for achieving sustainable waste valorization.