Converting lignocellulosic solid waste into ethanol for the State of Washington: An investigation of treatment technologies and environmental impacts

► We include both technical and environmental aspects of converting waste-to-ethanol. ► Pretreatments were acid hydrolysis for MWP and MSW, and steam explosion for YW. ► Near theoretical yields for enzymatic hydrolysis of MSW and MWP, 41% yield for YW. ► All feedstocks were readily fermentable by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. ► Chemicals production and waste collection are important environmental contributors.