Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Rubbish can be disposed of by burning it and using the energy generated. Separating it for recycling greatly reduces the amount of rubbish that has to be burned, especially if we separate organic waste for compost. This allows us to avoid waste (for example by reusing separable and recyclable raw materials) and considerably minimises CO₂ emissions from its combustion. 

Biomass

Biomass is organic matter of natural origin that can be used to produce:

• Electric energy , by combustion in thermal power plants of plant remains or biogas (methane, CH ₄ ) produced in the fermentation of animal and plant waste.
• Biofuels – bioethanol or biodiesel, which are used in automotive

In the United States, where most ethanol is derived from corn , most fuels typically contain 90% gasoline and 10% ethanol. In Brazil, the second largest producer of ethanol after the United States, fuel contains up to 27% ethanol, with sugar cane being the  main energy source.

One of the main challenges in sustainable biofuel production is that expanding agriculture for biofuel production often competes with land needed for food production. This leads to deforestation, soil degradation , loss of natural habitats, exacerbating greenhouse gas emissions and threatening food security for many people. Rainforests have taken millions of years to form. If they are cut down, they cannot be reclaimed, because the land is no longer fertile.

So scientists and startups are looking at other materials that could serve as fuel without the concerns about food supply and environmental impact, such as corn stover, wood waste or other otherwise unused plant materials, grasses, algae, animal waste, cooking grease and sewage sludge. But research is still underway to find the most efficient and cost-effective ways to transform them into usable fuel.

The main advantage of using biomass as a well-managed energy source would be the maintenance of clean forests by eliminating their waste, avoiding fires.