Biotransformation of food waste into biogas and hydrogen fuel – A review

The amount of waste generated globally is rising along with the growth of the population, including biological waste, which reaches billions of tons every year. An enormous amount of food waste (FW) is produced throughout the food production chain, which threatens human health and the environment. Waste-to-biogas conversion, as a prime example of waste-to-energy technology, offers a simple approach to simultaneously address the issue of the rising demand for renewable energy sources. Anaerobic digestion (AD) of FW produces biofuel, bioenergy, and fertilizers. In addition to providing a sustainable waste management alternative to landfills, the creation of hydrogen through resource recovery and waste material conversion processes can be used to produce renewable fuels. To be taken seriously as a candidate for manufacturing hydrogen, it must be economically feasible, cutting costs and providing a sustainable waste management option. This article reviews the literature and provides a techno-economic analysis of the possibilities for producing biogas and hydrogen fuel from several types of FW. Additionally, recommendations for improving waste-to-biogas and hydrogen technology are provided as part of a comprehensive solution for potential renewable energy.