Advancing fly ash treatment: Innovative strategies for material recovery and environmental sustainability

Fly ash is the byproduct of municipal solid waste incineration, which has become a major environmental concern because of its pollution risk and a huge amount. Specifically, incineration makes up 82.5% of municipal solid waste treatment in China in the end of 2023. Fly ash contains heavy metals, soluble salts, and dioxins that pose severe risks to the environment and human health. This review focuses on the aspects of the various materials in fly ash and modern approaches of material recovery from fly ash. Several treatment methods and novel approaches are described. The application of predictive retrosynthesis as a novel approach is recommended to enhance fly ash treatment. Desired materials could be extracted, and undesired products torn apart by the design of the chemical reactions that inform the technical process. Finally, this review recognizes the necessity for innovative measures to manage fly ash and foster further research and technological improvements, in this exceptional area of environmental care and waste disposal.