Environmental Effect of waste to energy
There were some issues with waste to energy plants related to air quality, however, since the Clean Air Act (CAA) in 1990, more than one billion dollars were invested to upgrade pollution control equipment and lower emissions. Table 2 shows WTE emissions reductions from 1990 to 2005.
There were some issues with waste to energy plants related to air quality, however, since the Clean Air Act (CAA) in 1990, more than one billion dollars were invested to upgrade pollution control equipment and lower emissions. Table 2 shows WTE emissions reductions from 1990 to 2005.
Waste To Energy is considered to be among eight emerging green technologies that help to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) by the World Economic Forum 2009. The greenhouse gas reduction from waste to energy is found to be 48,554,558 CO2 equivalent tons reduced since January 2012.
According to U.S EPA, for every ton municipal solid waste by waste to energy plant nearly 1 ton of CO2 emissions avoided. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) illustrated the carbon dioxide from landfill gas to energy (LFGTE) and waste to energy (WTE) as shown in the figure.
According to U.S EPA, for every ton municipal solid waste by waste to energy plant nearly 1 ton of CO2 emissions avoided. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) illustrated the carbon dioxide from landfill gas to energy (LFGTE) and waste to energy (WTE) as shown in the figure.
They found that WTE plants carbon footprint measured in metric tons per megawatt-hour (MWh) is three to four times lower than landfill gas to energy (LFGTE). Waste to energy (WTE) can produce more electricity than Landfill Gas To Energy (LFGTE) with the same amount of waste given.