New trends in waste-to-energy

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Waste Age; (United States)

OSTI ID:5881955

Charles, M A ^[1]

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1. Integrated Waste Services Association, Washington, DC (United States)

While the nation struggles closer to important waste minimization, recycling, and reuse goals, the U.S. EPA estimates that municipal solid waste (MSW) generation will increase from the approximately 196 million tons of waste generated in 1990 to about 222 million tons in the year 2000. The extent to which the use of waste-to-energy (WTE) combustion--a key MSW disposal tool--will increase to help manage the growing refuse volume has been a subject of recent debate. Forecasts of WTE industry growth include the U.S. Department of Energy's prediction in the 1991 National Energy Strategy, which called for a seven-fold rise in WTE by the year 2010. Perhaps a more realistic assessment is made by the Freedonia Group who estimates that MSW combustion will grow at a rate of 6.7% through 1997. Currently, WTE combustion manages approximately 15% of the nation's waste. Notwithstanding these and other predictions of industry movement, there are currently six WTE plants under construction in this country with a total capacity of 7,630 tpd.

• OSTI ID: 5881955
• Journal Information: Waste Age; (United States), Journal Name: Waste Age; (United States) Vol. 24:11; ISSN WAGEAE; ISSN 0043-1001
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320604* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Municipal Waste Management-- (1980-)
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
CONSTRUCTION
ENERGY FACILITIES
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MANAGEMENT
MINIMIZATION
MUNICIPAL WASTES
OXIDATION
RECYCLING
RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITIES
SOLID WASTES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING PLANTS
WASTES