Swiss recipe for protecting the environment: WTE and recycling

Journal Article · · Solid Waste and Power; (United States)

OSTI ID:6496315

Mahin, D B

The similarities between Swiss and North American solid waste management include a trend away from landfilling and an increasing interest in more material recovery. The differences include greater acceptance of waste combustion in Switzerland, based on confidence in the ability to control the environmental releases from the facilities. In terms of waste-to-energy (WTE) technology, mass burn facilities dominate the scene for the waste that is combusted in both North America and Switzerland, though the Swiss burn a much higher percentage of the MSW. The primary technological difference is an emphasis on wet scrubbers for air pollution control. The general confidence in the effectiveness of WTE plants to dispose of MSW and to control environmental releases from the facilities has led to adoption of waste management practices discouraging landfills and fostering further growth of combustion in combination with recycling in Switzerland.

• OSTI ID: 6496315
• Journal Information: Solid Waste and Power; (United States), Journal Name: Solid Waste and Power; (United States) Vol. 7:3; ISSN SWPOEX
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320604* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Municipal Waste Management-- (1980-)
AEROSOL WASTES
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
ASHES
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
CONTROL
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
EQUIPMENT
EUROPE
FLY ASH
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LIME-LIMESTONE WET SCRUBBING PROCESSES
MANAGEMENT
MUNICIPAL WASTES
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION CONTROL
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
POWER PLANTS
RECYCLING
REFUSE-FUELED POWER PLANTS
REGULATIONS
RESIDUES
SANITARY LANDFILLS
SCRUBBERS
SCRUBBING
SOLID WASTES
SWITZERLAND
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING PLANTS
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
WASTES