Background of the Study

The term "waste to energy" refers to the process of using waste to produce energy,
whether it be heat, electricity, or fuels. The primary processes are gasification, plasma
gasification, and pyrolysis, which is touted as a way to manage solid wastes and produce
emissions that are significantly cleaner. But, as time went on, these WtE began to cause several
complications. Issues include the pollution and particles it produces, the destruction of usable
materials, and the potential to deter more sustainable waste management and renewable energy
sources.
WtE contribute to carbon dioxide emissions. Nearly all of the carbon content of trash
burned for WtE is released as carbon dioxide, one of the most significant greenhouse gases. But,
if the waste-fuel is biomass - that is, derived from natural sources such as food scraps, paper and
paper board, wood, and natural fabrics such as cotton - the CO2 it contains was initially drawn
from the atmosphere. Plastics as well as other oil-based products, on the other hand, which are
also incinerated in WtE, are equal to any other fossil fuel and create harmful greenhouse gas
emissions (RTS - Recycle Track Systems, 2022).
Moreover, municipal garbage is made up of wasted items such as paper, plastic, and
glass. More than 90% of the items that end up in landfills and incineration plants might be
composted or recycled. Burning these precious materials to generate power inhibits conservation
efforts and generates incentives to create significant waste. Countries that support rubbish
burning usually have poor recycling rates for that reason. Statistics on household garbage in
Denmark clearly demonstrates this tendency, with high incineration locations recycling less and
inversely (Muznik, 2018).
Furthermore, another disadvantage of waste-to-energy is that it may disincentivize
recycling as well as other sustainable waste management practices. People, businesses, and
governments are less likely to participate with or invest in more beneficial alternatives, such as
reducing, reuse, or recycling, if they believe waste-to-energy is a feasible alternative energy
source and waste management approach. This is already evident in the designation of several
WtE power facilities as "renewable energy" (RTS - Recycle Track Systems, 2022).
References:
Muznik, S. (2018, February 27). 9 reasons why we better move away from waste-to-energy, and
embrace zero waste instead - Zero Waste Europe. Zero Waste Europe.
https://zerowasteeurope.eu/2018/02/9-reasons-why-we-better-move-away-from-waste-to-
energy-and-embrace-zero-waste-instead/

RTS - Recycle Track Systems. (2022, August 8). The Pros and Cons of Waste-to-Energy | RTS.
Recycle Track Systems. https://www.rts.com/blog/what-is-waste-to-energy/