More than 2bn tonnes of municipal solid waste are generated annually worldwide. As countries confront rising waste volumes and increasing electricity demand many are looking to waste-to-energy as a solution. It is also viewed as an important component of a broader circular economy and net-zero strategies. Modern waste-to-energy plants offer a dual solution: they reduce landfill use and methane emissions while providing reliable power to the grid. But their successful deployment depends on robust regulation, secure waste supply chains and reliable long-term financing structures. What is required to ensure projects are economically viable and environmentally credible?