The waste-to-energy is recognised across the globe as a method to reduce the detrimental effects of greenhouse gases emission. However, as the country’s waste problem escalates and China no longer takes our recycled plastics, we must look for a sustainable solution.
It is believed that with the rate of our waste generation, we will run out of landfill to dispose of our waste. And it is projected that Australians will generate 100 million tonnes of waste annually by 2050.
Read on to find out why we should consider waste-to-energy technology in reducing the waste we send to our landfills, especially harmful waste materials.
What is Waste-to-Energy
WtE technology is also referred to as Energy-from-Waste (EfW) and Energy Recovery (ER). Mainly, waste-to-energy is to convert non-recyclable waste into valuable energy, which is essential for humans to function effectively.
Also, the WtE helps in reducing waste especially organic waste materials, away from our landfills. We are all familiar with the fact that as organic waste decomposes, it releases a harmful gas that may trap the heat in our atmosphere resulting in global warming.
Let’s get into our interesting facts about waste-to-energy and why we should consider this method to resolve our current waste problem.
1. Waste-to-Energy Can Provide Baseload Power
The most common renewable energy resources such as wind and solar can only provide power if the sun is shining or the wind is blowing. With the waste-to-energy method, it provides baseload power which can be used to serve consumers and the grid at any time of day even if the sun is shining or not.
Baseload power is essential when intermittent resources like solar and wind become more prevalent.
2. Not All Waste-to Energy Methods are Clean and Green
Although the waste-to-energy method seems green and clean as it turns waste into power or energy, some methods are not.
Some projects require long hauling of waste into the incineration facility. Hauling of waste into the actual facility will end up requiring more emissions than the alternatives.
3. Waste-to-Energy Reduces Use of Landfills
With the increasing growth of the population and demands of people’s daily commodities, our landfills have increased exponentially. And the WtE is seen as a promising alternative in reducing the use of our landfills.
Besides diverting waste from our landfills, it can also provide us with energy or electricity, which may bring down energy costs and provide savings to households.
4. ARENA Invested $98 Million in 25 WtE Projects
The funding is set to focus on innovative approaches to biofuel production from agricultural waste and wastewater and diverting Municipal Solid Waste away from our landfills.
5. Waste-to-Energy is A Reliable Source of Renewable Energy
The waste-to-energy is considered a ‘reliable source of renewable energy’. When the feedstock is produced using natural resources that can be consistently replenished and non-finite.
The Clean Energy Regulator identified these natural feedstocks as wood waste, agricultural waste, food, and food processing waste. And it also includes the biomass components of municipal solid waste and sewage. These resources are abundant and can be replenished regularly, making them a reliable source of renewable energy.
6. Waste-to-Energy Facilities Are Greenhouse Gas Reducers
By diverting organic waste materials from our landfills, we are also minimising a significant amount of methane from our landfills.
Methane is twenty (20) times more potent than carbon dioxide. It is ranked as one of the major and dangerous contributors to climate change and the warming of our planet. With the WtE facilities, it helps avoid the production of methane and eventually end up producing up to ten (10) times more electricity than landfill gas projects.
Conclusion
Australia is relatively new to the Waste-to-Energy method compared to other countries. Moreover, that does not mean that we should not pursue this promising method in reducing the harmful impacts of waste in our landfills.
With the shortage of land to dispose of our waste–we need a new waste management strategy. All we need is a sustainable solution and the right system to make them more efficient and less risky.
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