Abstract

Plastic pollution, particularly from non-biodegradable plastics, poses significant challenges to waste management and renewable energy production. This comprehensive meta-analysis investigates the impact of non-biodegradable plastic contamination on methane production in anaerobic digestion (AD) systems. By synthesizing data from multiple studies, the analysis reveals that non-biodegradable plastics can significantly reduce methane yields, with decreases of up to 20-30% observed. The presence of these plastics interferes with microbial activity, both physically obstructing microbial processes and inhibiting key methanogenic microorganisms. Additionally, the fragmentation of plastics into microplastics exacerbates these effects, further disrupting AD efficiency. Variations in impact were noted based on plastic type, with some plastics causing greater disruptions than others. The findings underscore the need for improved waste separation practices, the development of biodegradable alternatives, and the optimization of AD systems to address plastic contamination. This research highlights critical areas for intervention to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of biogas production in the face of increasing plastic waste.