United States Waste to Energy Market is expected to reach US$ 68.7 – openPR.com

Global Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Market Analysis and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Market Overview and Growth Projections

The Global Waste-to-Energy (WtE) market was valued at US$ 38.5 billion in 2023. Projections indicate substantial growth, with an expected market size of US$ 68.7 billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% during the 2024-2031 forecast period. This sector focuses on generating energy as electricity, heat, or fuel from municipal solid waste, industrial refuse, and other waste materials. The expansion is driven by increasing global waste generation and a rising demand for renewable energy sources, supported by government initiatives promoting sustainable waste management.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The WtE market is a critical enabler for achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its operations directly support a transition towards a more sustainable and circular global economy.

• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): WtE facilities generate a reliable and localized source of clean energy, diversifying the energy mix and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By converting urban waste into a valuable resource, WtE technologies significantly reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills, mitigating land pressure and environmental hazards in densely populated areas.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The sector embodies the principles of a circular economy by recovering value from materials that would otherwise be discarded, promoting sustainable waste management practices.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): WtE processes help lower greenhouse gas emissions by preventing the release of methane from landfills and by displacing energy generated from carbon-intensive sources.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The development and upgrading of WtE plants represent an investment in resilient and sustainable infrastructure, driven by technological innovation for higher efficiency and cleaner emissions.

Key Market Drivers and SDG Alignment

1. Urban Waste Generation: Rapid urbanization and population growth escalate the production of municipal solid waste. This trend drives demand for effective waste management solutions like WtE, directly aligning with SDG 11 by making cities more sustainable and reducing their environmental footprint.
2. Renewable Energy Policies: Government policies, incentives, and ambitious renewable energy targets are encouraging investment in WtE solutions. These initiatives support the objectives of SDG 7 by promoting alternative energy sources and SDG 13 by contributing to national climate action plans.
3. Technological Advancements: Continuous innovation in thermal, biological, and mechanical conversion technologies is enhancing the efficiency and environmental performance of WtE facilities. These advancements are central to SDG 9, fostering innovation and upgrading industrial infrastructure for greater sustainability.

Recent Industry Developments and Regional Initiatives

United States

• Regulatory pressures and renewable energy incentives are accelerating the adoption of advanced WtE technologies, such as plasma gasification, to improve efficiency and reduce emissions, supporting SDG 7 and SDG 13.
• Major utility companies have launched collaborative initiatives to expand WtE plant capacity and upgrade infrastructure across multiple states, contributing to SDG 9.
• Increased policy support and investment have led to the construction of new WtE facilities, reflecting a renewed commitment to sustainable waste management in line with SDG 11.

Japan

• Partnerships are advancing projects that integrate renewable energy with waste management, promoting circular economy solutions and aligning with SDG 12.
• At Expo 2025 Osaka, advanced WtE technologies, including IoT-enabled plant operations, were showcased, highlighting the nation’s progress in smart waste management and contributing to SDG 9.
• Leading firms are undertaking large-scale upgrades of municipal WtE facilities, developing next-generation incinerators to boost efficiency and capacity to meet future waste processing needs, directly supporting SDG 11.

Market Segmentation

By Technology

• Thermal
• Biological
• Others

By Waste Type

• Solid Waste
• Liquid Waste
• Gaseous Waste

Leading Market Participants

• Covanta Energy
• China Everbright
• Suez Environment (SITA)
• Veolia Environmental
• Viridor
• Keppel Seghers Belgium N.V.
• MVV Energie AG
• China Metallurgical Group
• Fluence Corporation
• Waste Management Inc.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The article’s central theme is the “Waste to Energy (WtE)” market, which focuses on generating energy from waste. This directly supports the goal of increasing access to clean and renewable energy sources. The text highlights the “increasing demand for renewable energy” and “government initiatives promoting… renewable energy production.”
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The article discusses significant “technological advancements” in the WtE sector, such as “plasma gasification,” “IoT-enabled plant operations,” and “supercritical water oxidation systems.” It also mentions “infrastructure upgrades” and the construction of new facilities, which aligns with building resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article addresses the challenge of “urban waste generation” due to “rapid urbanization and increasing population density.” By converting “municipal solid waste” into energy, the WtE industry helps “reduce landfill pressure,” which is a critical component of making cities more sustainable and managing urban waste effectively.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The WtE process is a key strategy for sustainable waste management. The article mentions that WtE supports “sustainable waste management” and references Japan’s focus on promoting “circular economy solutions,” which directly relates to reducing waste and using resources more efficiently.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: A stated benefit of the WtE market is its ability to “lower greenhouse gas emissions.” By providing an alternative to landfills (a major source of methane) and generating energy that can replace fossil fuels, the industry contributes to climate change mitigation efforts.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article supports this target by describing the growth of the WtE market, which is presented as a form of “renewable energy production.” The forecast of market growth to “US$ 68.7 billion by 2031” indicates a substantial increase in this energy source.
• Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. The article details “large-scale upgrades of municipal WTE facilities” and the development of “next-generation stoker incinerators” to “boost both efficiency and capacity,” directly reflecting this target.
• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. The entire premise of the WtE market, as described in the article, is to manage “municipal solid waste” and “reduce landfill use,” which are central components of this target.
• Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. While WtE is a form of recovery, it is an integral part of a comprehensive waste management strategy aimed at reducing the final volume of waste. The mention of “circular economy solutions” in Japan’s initiatives aligns with the broader goal of minimizing waste.
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article points to “government initiatives and policy incentives promoting renewable energy and sustainable waste management” as key market drivers. This shows the integration of WtE, a climate mitigation strategy, into national policies.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Market Size and Growth Rate: The article provides specific financial figures, such as the market size reaching “US$ 38.5 billion in 2023” and a projected growth with a “CAGR of 7.5%.” This financial growth serves as a proxy indicator for investment in and the expansion of clean energy infrastructure (Targets 7.2, 9.4).
• Energy Generation Capacity: The article implies this indicator through mentions of “rapid capacity expansion” and the construction of new WtE facilities. The amount of energy (electricity, heat, or fuel) produced from waste would be a direct measure of the contribution to the renewable energy mix (Target 7.2).
• Volume of Waste Processed: The core function of WtE facilities is to process waste. The amount of “municipal solid waste” and “industrial waste” diverted from landfills and converted into energy is a key indicator of progress in sustainable waste management (Targets 11.6, 12.5).
• Rate of Technological Adoption: The article highlights the adoption of “new waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies” like “plasma gasification” and “IoT-enabled plant operations.” Tracking the number of facilities using these advanced, higher-efficiency, and cleaner technologies can measure progress towards sustainable industrialization (Target 9.4).
• Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The article explicitly states that WtE helps “lower greenhouse gas emissions.” Quantifying the amount of CO2-equivalent emissions avoided by diverting waste from landfills and displacing fossil fuel-based energy would be a direct indicator for climate action (Target 13.2).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: openpr.com