Recovering waste-to-energy sounds really promising. Finally there is a resolution to overcome waste problems with electricity bonus. But how does it work? Is it really a great solution? Or, is it too good to be true?
How Waste Becomes Energy: A Look into the Process
Waste-to-Energy (WtE) mainly uses incineration technology, known as a safe method to burn waste. Electricity is generated through the combustion process and recovers the heat value of the combusted waste.
With a circular economy approach, a suitable and cost-effective technology is determined by considering the condition of waste, community, and local regulations.
The Potential Benefits of Waste-to-Energy
Global waste is expected to continue to grow as the population continues to rise. Landfills, as most used disposal methods, take up big land space and can't be depended on for the long term because of their unsustainable potential.
To reduce landfill dependency, WtE can be one of the solutions. Waste volume in current landfills can be reduced, which also means less methane. Using waste as an energy source also helps lower carbon emissions by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Landfill © Pixabay
The Hidden Challenges Behind the Technology
To operate optimally, WtE needs a continuing supply of waste, which is arguable because waste needs to be reduced from time to time. Some incineration plants have illegally imported better-sorted trash to reduce economic losses from inefficiently sorted local waste.
Most of the waste in Southeast Asia is unsorted and consists of organic materials. This makes the incinerator process more difficult because the wetter the waste, the harder to burn. This needs extra pre-incinerator processes, which means more cost and more land used, to reduce the water content of the waste.
Incineration is the cheapest method of WtE, but it is one of the most expensive ways of converting energy and handling waste. The budget for WtE can be redirected to optimize waste management from the source.
Case Studies from Southeast Asia: What’s Working, What’s Not
In Viet Nam, small-scale WtE plants are already used in rural areas but still have problems with air pollution. The larger plants faced policy gaps, only 5 of 15 have been completed. Significant difficulties in integrating WtE plants with the national power grid remain a challenge.
The government and private companies in the Philippines continue promoting WtE incineration though waste burning is prohibited according to the country’s Clear Air Act.
Public backlash happened across Southeast Asia’s countries, protesting over hazardous pollution and health concerns, including in Indonesia. In 2018, Indonesia’s Supreme Court ruled that waste incineration is against the laws, but the government is still continuing the development of WtE.
Is Waste-to-Energy Really a Sustainable Solution?
The technology doesn't sound complicated, but its complexity needs comprehensive assessment. WtE needs high cost to cover technology, pre-treatment process, regulatory compliance, and pollution control to reduce its impact on the environment and public health risks – the main causes of public resistance.
WtE also demands a lot of human resources, a clear plan and strict management are required if the country continues to operate WtE. Singapore is a leading example of a country with well-managed WtE facilities, its four facilities can convert 90% of solid waste to 2% of national energy.
Unmanaged waste © Pixabay
A Better Way to Deal with Waste? Let's Talk Solutions
Since WtE’s sustainability is uncertain, it’s best to prioritize more sustainable solutions. There is a hierarchy in waste management, listed from the highest priority to the lowest: reduce, reuse, recycle, energy recovery, and disposal. Reducing and segregating waste from the source can decrease produced waste, and improve the treatment quality.
With a multidisciplinary approach and the balanced allocation of financial and human resources, waste management cost and quality can be optimized, and environmental impact can be reduced.
References
- https://aseanenergy.org/news-clipping/todays-waste-is-tomorrows-energy/
- https://aseanenergy.org/news-clipping/waste-to-energy-a-renewable-opportunity-for-southeast-asia/
- https://vir.com.vn/vietnam-turns-to-waste-to-energy-as-landfills-reach-capacity-120458.html
- https://waste4change.com/blog/pro-kontra-waste-to-energy-di-indonesia/
