With the planet generating more than 2 billion tons of trash every year, a significant portion of it ends up in landfills or open dumpsites that create environmentally harmful methane gas as they decompose. The emissions generated in this process are comparable to those of the coal mining industry, pollution from which at least is ultimately needed for energy creation, unlike with waste.
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However, recent developments in waste-to-energy technology offer a potential solution to mitigate environmental impacts while generating electricity.
On the Isle of Wight, a small island off the coast of southern England, a waste-to-energy plant has been undergoing testing, demonstrating its capacity to produce enough energy to power 7,000 homes for a week by incinerating materials like paper, plastic and wood.
Developers believe this method presents a greener approach to waste disposal by harnessing the heat generated from burning trash to warm water, which then produces steam to turn turbine blades and generate power. This process also significantly reduces the physical space occupied by waste, converting 2,000 pounds of garbage into as little as 300 pounds of ash.
“The Newport plant will allow the Isle of Wight to become even more self-sufficient in terms of waste,” Steve Boswell, operational manager for the Isle of Wight Council’s Environment and Waste division said. “This project will deliver significant environmental benefits to Isle of Wight residents. It is also a localized solution because the energy will be used on the island, and there will be little wastage during the transmission phase.”
While waste-to-energy technology shows promise, it has sparked controversy due to concerns about its environmental impact.
Environmental advocacy groups have accused this energy production method of greenwashing, pointing to the release of toxic chemicals and pollutants during incineration.
Studies indicate that pollution from burning waste can infiltrate local air, water and food supplies, posing health risks to nearby communities.
“Solid waste incineration is often presented as a ‘quick-fix’ solution to reduce rapidly growing waste volumes while producing energy,” the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group said. “However, incineration is among the worst approaches cities can take to achieve both waste reduction and energy goals. It is expensive, inefficient and creates environmental risks.”
Despite these concerns, some researchers argue that waste-to-energy processes, while not entirely green, are comparatively cleaner than obtaining power from coal or oil. However, climate experts caution against investing in infrastructure that produces pollution, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing truly sustainable energy solutions to address climate change effectively.
As testing continues in England to ensure the waste-to-energy facility meets operational standards, similar advancements are underway elsewhere. Developers in Denmark are pioneering systems with emissions primarily composed of water vapor and carbon dioxide, indicating potential improvements in waste-to-energy technology.
[JACK ALYMER]
EVERY YEAR WE THROW AWAY A TON OF TRASH.
MORE LIKE TWO BILLION TONS – GLOBALLY.
THE MAJORITY ENDS UP IN LANDFILLS OR OPEN DUMP SITES.
THERE IT SLOWLY DECOMPOSES.
IN SOME CASES TAKING CENTURIES TO BREAK DOWN.
AND WHILE IT SITS – IT SPITS OUT METHANE AND OTHER GASSES.
ON PAR WITH WHAT THE WORLD’S COAL MINING INDUSTRY GENERATES EACH YEAR.
BUT AT LEAST WITH COAL, WE GET ENERGY OUT OF THE POLLUTION IT CREATES.
WITH TRASH, NOT SO MUCH. ALTHOUGH, THAT COULD BE CHANGING.
A SMALL ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND IS HOME TO A NEW WASTE-TO-ENERGY PLANT.
SO FAR IN TESTING, ITS SHOWN THE ABILITY TO PRODUCE ENOUGH ENERGY TO POWER 7,000 HOMES FOR A WEEK.
BY BURNING TRASH LIKE PAPER, PLASTIC, AND WOOD, THE PLANT’S DEVELOPERS BELIEVE THEY’RE CREATING A GREENER METHOD OF WASTE DISPOSAL.
[IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY]
“How is burning trash green?”
[JACK ALYMER]
FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT THINK THIS IS A DUMPSTER FIRE OF AN IDEA- LET’S BREAK IT DOWN.
THE HEAT PRODUCED FROM BURNING TRASH IS THEN USED TO WARM UP WATER UNTIL IT BECOMES STEAM.
THAT STEAM IS THEN USED TO TURN TURBINE BLADES, GENERATING POWER.
THE PROCESS WOULD ALSO HELP REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF PHYSICAL SPACE TRASH TAKES UP.
CONVERTING A TON OF GARBAGE INTO ENERGY REDUCES IT TO AS LITTLE AS JUST 300 POUNDS OF ASH.
BUT, THE WASTE TO ENERGY PROCESS ISN’T JUST GENERATING POWER, ITS PRODUCING SOME CONTROVERSY AS WELL.
[Silicon Valley]
“No, we don’t burn trash in this country.”
[JACK ALYMER]
INCINERATING TRASH RELEASES TOXIC CHEMICALS AND POLLUTANTS –
WHICH IS WHY MULTIPLE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS HAVE ACCUSED THIS ENERGY PRODUCTION METHOD OF GREENWASHING.
IN FACT, STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT POLLUTION FROM BURNING WASTE CAN MAKE ITS WAY INTO THE AIR, WATER, AND FOOD SUPPLY OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES. YOU CAN PROBABLY GUESS THE NEGATIVE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS.
OTHER RESEARCH HAS FOUND THAT, WHILE, SURE, THE WASTE TO ENERGY PROCESS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME HARMFUL EMISSIONS, IT’S STILL CLEANER THAN GETTING POWER FROM COAL OR OIL.
CLIMATE EXPERTS ARGUE INVESTING IN ANY INFRASTRUCTURE THAT PRODUCES POLLUTION IS LIKE PUTTING A BANDAID ON A BULLET WOUND AND CAN BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE FOR THE GREEN ENERGY TRANSITION.
[IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY]
“That’s the exact opposite of green, Charlie.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I can put the trash into a landfill where it’s gonna stay for millions of years.”
[JACK ALYMER]
WHILE TESTING CONTINUES IN ENGLAND TO ENSURE THE WASTE TO ENERGY FACILITY THERE MEETS OPERATIONAL STANDARDS, THIS TECHNOLOGY IS STILL GENERATING TRACTION ELSEWHERE.
DEVELOPERS IN DENMARK ARE DEVELOPING A SYSTEM WITH EMISSIONS THAT ARE ALMOST ENTIRELY WATER VAPOR AND CARBON DIOXIDE.
WASTE TO ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS LIKE THESE COULD HELP THE INDUSTRY GROW.
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