dressing the rising demand for tailored VFA production to meet the specific requirements of bioplastics and other emerging bio-based industries. The use of diverse waste materials, from agricultural residues to industrial by-products, as substrates for targeted acidogenic fermentation is a cornerstone in the development of more sustainable industrial processes. This strategy not only addresses the pressing need for effective waste management but also helps shift away from the consumption of edible raw materials, which is crucial in tackling global food security challenges [12]. Moreover, targeting specific VFAs in the fermentation process provides greater control over downstream applications, demonstrating their versatility as chemical intermediates in sectors ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to emerging bio-based industries such as bioplastics. VFAs produced through targeted fermentation offer a more refined approach for creating bioplastics with desirable properties, reducing the dependency on complex downstream purification processes [13]. Current research focuses on optimizing acidogenic fermentation to ensure scalable and efficient VFA production. This involves multiple strategies aimed at improving both the biological and operational aspects of the fermentation process. Specifically, tailoring microbial consortia and operational conditions to produce desired VFAs offers the potential to streamline the bioproduction of these compounds [14]. Advances in microbial consortia engineering and process optimization aim to overcome challenges posed by the variability in waste composition, making the bioproduction of VFAs a more reliable and sustainable solution for the future [15]. Despite the promising potential, the implementation of targeted waste-derived VFA bioproduction is not without its challenges. The heterogeneous nature of waste streams, along with the potential presence of impurities, introduces variability in organic composition, which complicates the optimization of fermentation processes [16]. For instance, lignocellulosic biomass, a common waste source, requires effective pretreatment methods to break down its complex structure and make it more amenable to fermentation [17]. These pretreatments add complexity to the bioproduction process, as they must be tailored to specific waste types to maximize VFA production efficiency. In addition to pretreatment challenges, the microbial consortia involved in acidogenic fermentation play a crucial role in determining the yield and specificity of VFAs. Many research groups are investigating ways to enhance the efficiency and reliability of this process by manipulating microbial communities to favor the production of targeted VFAs, where specific types of VFAs, such as acetic or butyric acid, are preferentially produced depending on the end-use application [12]. Operational parameters, such as pH, temperature, and substrate concentration, also significantly influence the outcomes of fermentation, and optimizing these conditions remains a key area of ongoing research [12]. Moreover, the development of robust metabolic models for the predictive control of the fermentation process is becoming increasingly important, as it offers a way to improve consistency and scalability in VFA production [18]. These models allow for real-time adjustments, optimizing yield and reducing waste during the fermentation process, and are essential for scaling up production to industrial levels. The aim of this review is to explore the potential of waste streams for generating bioplastic precursors via targeted acidogenic fermentation. It will provide an overview of the current state of research on VFA production from waste, discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with this approach, and highlight future directions for improving the efficiency and sustainability of the process.