Proper waste management is about handling waste in the way that is most cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and efficient for the type of waste. While many products and waste materials can be recycled for further use, not all are suitable – but rather than being sent to landfill, they can often be used for energy instead.
In a modern energy climate where fossil fuels are in high demand and ever decreasing supply, waste-energy solutions present the answer. At ETM Recycling, we help businesses minimise their wastage and improve their waste management, and in this article we’ll discuss what waste-to-energy solutions are, what types of energy are derived from waste, and the role waste management plays in the process.
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What is Waste-to-Energy?
Waste-to-energy (WtE) is also known as energy from waste (EfW), as is a method of recycling biodegradable waste into essential resources. It is complementary to traditional recycling methods, acting as an additional step in the chain for biomass that cannot be reused as is.
As well as being a great way to dispose of waste, WtE also provides a renewable source of energy, lowering our reliance on other, less sustainable sources. It diverts waste from landfill, cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions while preserving valuable land space, and provides a safe disposal option for waste that can’t be recycled traditionally.
How does Waste-to-Energy Work?
WtE helps support your zero-waste-to-landfill initiative, reducing or even eliminating the amount and types of waste that aren’t handled sustainably in the waste stream. When the biomass is collected, it is sent to a WtE plant, where it is burnt to produce electricity and heat for further use.
This process is done by incinerating the waste products at high temperatures. The heat produced from this is used to evaporate water and generate steam, which drives a motor to produce the electric output. An effective way of generating electricity, this process also results in resource recycling, which can be collected from the leftover ashes.
What Resources can be Derived from Municipal Waste?
There are three main resources that can be harvested and recycled from municipal waste:
- Biogas: Methane fuel, which is generally obtained from landfills, offers a way to make use of what would otherwise be harmful waste gas.
- Biomass: The primary source of energy from waste, and also the main category for household waste (around 2/3), biomass can be used to generate energy via the aforementioned incineration process.
- Recycled materials: WtE is also a great way to recover valuable resources. After incineration, the remaining ashes will likely contain a number of useful materials. 90% of the metals can be recovered and reused, while the remaining material can be reused in specific circumstances such as for roads.
The Benefits of Energy from Waste
The ratio for waste processing to greenhouse emission reduction is approximately 1:1, meaning that for every tonne of waste converted to electricity, emissions also fall by around a tonne. This is one of the key benefits of WtE, as it represents a near 100% reduction in the environmental impact of biowaste. There are also a number of other key benefits, which include:
- Preventing methane buildup and emissions from landfills
- Reducing reliance on and use of fossil fuels
- Offsetting greenhouse gas emissions from other fuel sources
- Recovering valuable resources (e.g. precious metals) from otherwise unrecyclable municipal waste
- Producing clean, reliable, and sustainable energy, comparable to other sources like wind and solar
- Limiting land usage with space-efficient incineration facilities that generate more energy per square metre than other renewable energy sources
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How Proper Waste Management Supports Waste-to-Energy
Over 45 million tonnes of waste in Europe are converted to energy via waste-to-energy solutions, supplying the electricity for over 27 million people. Despite these figures, around half of municipal waste still ends up in landfill, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions and loss of valuable space. The solution is to improve the waste management processes that handle the various waste types.
In the UK, 48.3% (6.8 million) of the 14 million tonnes of municipal waste was biomass in 2021. This was an improvement compared to 2010, where 51.9% (13 million) of the 25 million tonnes of municipal waste was biomass.
While the amount of municipal waste has drastically decreased, the proportion of biomass has remained fairly consistent. This indicates that biowaste management has been keeping up with other recycling measures, but that more awareness and effort is needed to fully realise the benefits and reach a true zero-to-landfill waste economy.
That is where waste management comes in – by properly handling your waste from the start, it will enter the waste streams that take it to the appropriate destination. This cuts the amount of reusable waste that goes to landfill, leading to a healthier planet, greater sustainability, and reduced costs for materials in the future. The first step is to find a reliable waste management partner to help you achieve your sustainability goals.
Streamline Your Waste Management with ETM Recycling
When dealing with municipal and certain types of industrial waste, it is always a good idea to consider each type of waste and where is should end up. If waste ends up in landfill, it will continue to harm the environment for centuries to come. Waste-to-energy solutions provide the answer for much of this issue, generating clean, renewable energy while cutting back on emissions.
At ETM Recycling, we help businesses to reach their sustainability goals, providing expert waste management that supports your net zero and zero-to-landfill initiatives. Find out more about how our services can assist your business – contact us today!
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