EXAMINING COSTS AND ADVANTAGES ASSOCIATED WITH MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE TO ENERGY AS COMPARED WITH LANDFILLING

摘要

There is a robust solution to both the disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) and the generation of electrical power. Waste to energy (WTE) using incineration is an elegant solution which can provide sustainability, reduce landfilling waste volume by 90%, render the ash inert, produce energy, and reduce long-term care costs associated with a typical landfill. As the disposal capacity in the U.S. is becoming more scarce, the siting and permitting of new landfills is also extremely difficult from both a political and technical standpoint. Solid waste disposal issues are examined with consideration of incineration and WTE. When MSW is combusted for electrical generation, the remaining ash is only 10 % of the original volume. This remaining ash can be landfilled or used as a building product. Key concerns involve overcoming an adverse public perception, securing a constant waste flow rate, and meeting emission standards. An economic model summarizes the costs and time value considerations of WTE vs. landfilling. Results indicate that WTE can be a more environmentally safe and economical alternative to landfilling over the 45-year analysis period.