The US and international municipal waste combustion industry

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Waste Age; (United States)

OSTI ID:6924886

Malloy, M G; McAdams, C L

The municipal waste combustion (MWC) industry--also known as the waste-to-energy (WTE) industry--has undergone dramatic scrutiny over the past several years. And while there are, indeed, signs that the industry is slowing the rapid growth cycle it experienced in the 1980s, the U.S. WTE industry is confident that facilities will be able to meet impending air quality regulations, handle ash issues, and remain a strong player in the solid waste treatment and disposal hierarchy. Currently, there are well over a hundred WTE facilities operating in the US. In the European Community, it is estimated there is a total of 527 incineration plants; approximately 213 of which recovery energy. In Southeast Asia, 24 combustion facilities are reported to be in the operations, testing, or construction phase. The issue of ash testing and treatment has garnered much attention recently. Most notably, the US Supreme Court decided in May of this year that ash from municipal waste facilities is not exempt from testing for hazardous content. Also of concern to the WTE industry are EPA's recently released proposals concerning new air quality regulations for MSW. EPA had agreed to propose draft rules by September 1994 and issue final rules by September 1995.

• OSTI ID: 6924886
• Journal Information: Waste Age; (United States), Journal Name: Waste Age; (United States) Vol. 25:11; 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-)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
ASIA
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENERGY FACILITIES
EUROPE
GLOBAL ASPECTS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MUNICIPAL WASTES
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDATION
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITIES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
USA
WASTE PROCESSING PLANTS
WASTES