Microwave-assisted synthesis of glycerol carbonate by the transesterification of glycerol with dimethyl carbonate using Musa acuminata peel ash catalyst

•Microwave-assisted synthesis of glycerol carbonate (GC) is investigated.•Waste Musa accuminata peel ash (MAPA) was used as a highly basic renewable heterogeneous catalyst.•Microwave irradiation improves the selectivity to glycerol carbonate, conversion of glycerol, yield and reaction time.•A high 99% conversion of glycerol to GC was obtained.•The catalyst was reused for 6 successive cycles.