How does recycling compare to waste-to-energy?

According to recent EPA life cycle analyses (see above reports) recycling of waste materials has a lower impact on the environment than incineration with energy recovery, which provides substantial benefit over landfill (as described in the EPA solid waste management hierarchy). However, recycling and waste-to-energy are not mutually exclusive and each is best applied to a different subset of the wastes we generate. After all recyclable materials are removed from the waste stream there is still plenty of waste which can be processed in our waste-to-energy facility. I suggest that recycling, particularly a curbside collection program, should be considered on its own merits, as another method of disposing of our waste. These are some links with more information about waste-to-energy. 

https://www.wasatchintegrated.org/links/ 

http://www.wte.org/ 

http://www.seas.columbia.edu/earth/wtert/index.html 

http://energyrecoverycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/ERC-Waste-Not-Want-Not.pdf 

Show All Answers

1. Do you have curbside recycling?
2. Will recycling extend the life of our landfill?
3. How does recycling compare to waste-to-energy?
4. What is my city currently doing about responsible solid waste management?
5. Who owns the streets in the City of North Salt Lake?
6. Who do I call for street light repair?
7. What do I do if I have broken sidewalk or curb & gutter in front of my house?
8. I need to turn the water off at the water meter. Can I do that myself?
9. I see water being wasted. Who can I contact?
10. How do I get the street sweeper to clean my street?
11. The storm drain in front of my house is plugged with debris. What do I do?