Assessing the interplay between waste-to-energy capacity, infrastructure investment, technological innovation, composting adoption, and governmental effectiveness

Abstract

Sustainable waste management promotes resource efficiency, environmental protection, and economic growth. The study investigates the contributions of government efficacy, technological innovation, infrastructural investment, waste-to-energy capacity, and the adoption of decomposition in promoting sustainable waste management in a panel of 30 countries from 1990 to 2022. The study assesses the potential for waste-to-energy conversion and adopting waste-derived fuels by employing short-term and long-term analyses. Investment in waste management infrastructure initially decreases the adoption of waste-derived fuels; however, it facilitates a progressive increase over time. Similarly, adopting composting over an extended period increases the consumption of waste-derived fuels, while improvements in waste-to-energy technology and governmental efficiency mitigate this trend. These insights have substantial policy implications, indicating that, in the immediate future, it is imperative to increase public awareness and engage various stakeholders. While a sustainable waste management framework for the long term will benefit from circular economy principles and international collaboration, medium-term strategies should prioritize infrastructure enhancements and emission reduction targets. These findings offer policymakers a guide to the development of waste management strategies that are both adaptable and comprehensive in the future.