Incineration systems for circular solid waste valorisation in low-income settings: A pathway to close material loops and mitigate health risks?

Solid waste management remains a major challenge in low-income countries, posing serious environmental and health risks. Waste incineration has emerged as a viable strategy, with small- and large-scale units offering context-specific solutions. This paper presents an integrative synthesis of incineration as a pathway for closing material loops and mitigating health risks in low-income settings. It outlines the principles of incineration systems and highlights their potential to address solid waste risks. Incineration generates large volumes of ash, often regarded as waste but offering substantial opportunities for valorisation. We propose a circular approach to ash management, emphasising its conversion into safe, sustainable, value-added products. Potential applications include construction materials, composite materials, mineral recovery, and soil conditioners, demonstrating pathways to close resource loops and reduce environmental impacts. The paper also discusses opportunities to scale up incineration and ash valorisation through enterprise models, innovative financing, and supportive policy frameworks. Barriers, including health risks, public perceptions, and regulatory gaps, must be addressed to ensure adoption and sustainability. Finally, ten research priorities are outlined, covering ash composition, safe handling, product development, market integration, and socio-economic dimensions. This synthesis provides a roadmap for advancing incineration as a complementary strategy for sustainable solid waste management in low-income settings.