A systematic overview of current advancements for chemical, material, and energy production using sewage sludge for industrial ecology and sustainability transition

Abstract

Urbanization and population expansion have increased the demand for scarce resources such as land, water, food, and energy. Furthermore, it has heightened environmental concerns, such as pollution and waste management. The difficulties above present significant challenges to the broader goal of attaining global sustainable development. As a result, there is considerable concern about sustainable waste recycling and management solutions. Among these efforts, expanding wastewater treatment facilities has emerged as a critical tool for environmental protection. As a result of the growth of wastewater treatment facilities, there has been a significant increase in sewage sludge (SS) production. Consequently, an urgent need exists to investigate alternative treatment and value-added methods for sewage sludge. This review looks at the current state of sewage applications for energy and resource recovery to foster sustainable development and industrial ecology through sewage sludge feedstocks. Furthermore, it aims to promote additional research into improving existing sewage sludge management systems, ensuring their cost-effectiveness, public acceptance, and environmental sustainability.