Energy from Waste• Mass burn technologies operating at

extremely high temperatures• Initially - no filtration for hazardous air

emissions • No federal or state regulations• Now advanced technology such as the

bag filtration and monitoring systems • More stringent EPA standards

Based in part on:

Waste to Energy Plants Outweighing the Negative Léokham O’Connor Florida Gulf Coast University

• Waste Energy plants - a multi-purpose energy solution for municipal solid waste

• Better alternative than landfills

The U.S. burns 14 percent of its trash in waste-to-energy plants. Denmark, burns 54 percent.

• U.S. - 5% of the world’s population• U.S. - 30% of the world’s garbage • 63,000 garbage trucks daily• 90,000 lbs of waste individual lifetime• Less than 2% is recycled• Every year

• 3.5 billion lbs of carpet• 3.3 trillion lbs of CO2 gas• 19 billion lbs polystyrene foam peanuts• 28 billion lbs of food

Waste Incinerators

• 1865 - The first waste incinerator was built in Michigan

• 1874 - The “Destructor” was Britain’s attempt to burn waste to produce energy

• 1905 - New York uses waste incinerator to create electricity and light the Williamsburg Bridge

• 1930’s – Incinerators too expensive, making waste dumps a more viable option

Federal Regulations

• 1970 - Clean Air Act regulates emissions

• 1976 - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

• Control of hazardous waste generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal

• 1986 – Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA)• Strict guidelines for municipalities; landfill design

• 1990 - Emissions defined - MACT standards (maximum allowable emissions)

2005 EPA Regulations• 2005 - The EPA amends national

emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for hazardous waste combustors under section 112 of the Clean Air Act.

• more stringent requirements for the bag leak detection, air pollutants and other material residue from incinerators (EPA, 2009).

Stimulus Bill 2008

• The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 takes effect.

• Legislation extends tax credits for landfill gas and trash combustion facilities.

• It also provides new tax credits for those who purchase capital investment bonds in renewable energy facilities.

Technology

Operating WTE Plants in the U.S.

• States with Waste-to-Energy plants Have Higher Recycling Rates

Environmental Concerns• Dioxin a major concern

– Toxic chemical that can cause immune and nervous system damage.

– By-product of manufacture, molding, or burning of Cl-containing organic materials

– Toxicity is comparable to radioactive waste

– Temperatures over 1800 F destroy dioxins (Frederick County Government, 2008).

Emissions

Facility Type

Carbon Dioxide

Sulfur Dioxide

Nitrogen Oxides

Coal 2,249 13 6

Oil 1,672 12 4

Natural Gas

1,135 0.1 1.7

Waste-To-Energy

837* 0.8 5.4

Air Emissions of Waste-To-Energy and Fossil Fuel Power Plants

(Pounds per Megawatt Hour)

(includes ‘avoided emissions’)

Cons

• Release of Dioxins• Waste Energy < 1 % Total

• NOx and Sox emissions

• Metal vapor (mercury) emissions

• Perceived reduction in recycling

• Odors, pest attraction

Pros• Create revenue• Reduce landfill impacts; hauling distances• Constant supply of resources (Trash)• 26 States legally define Waste to Energy as

a renewable resource• Ash can be recycled (construction)• 1500 tons of trash/day produces about

electricity to power around 40,000 homes• ideal co-generation system

Covanta/OCRRA Facility – Onondaga County

Landfill methane recoveryMadison County, NY