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State of Practice for Emerging Waste Conversion Technologies
Citation:
Thorneloe, S. State of Practice for Emerging Waste Conversion Technologies. US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, EPA/600/R-12/705, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
For this study, focus was placed on the ability of these technologies to manage the currently non-recycled fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the U.S. The specific objectives for this study and report were to develop overview of waste converson tech, provide information on energy and mass balance, provide information on economics and technology, list maps of proposed and operational fields, and finally to summarize key findings and considerations for decision makers.
Description:
RTI International (RTI) was contracted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development to conduct research to prepare a “State of Practice” report to support State and local decision-makers on the subject of emerging waste conversion technologies. Emerging technologies are defined as those in a commercial or advanced pre-commercial development stage. While the application of these technologies to municipal solid waste (MSW) feedstocks is only emerging in the United States (U.S.), these technologies have been applied for the management of MSW in other parts of the world, such as Australia, Canada, Europe, and Japan. A key aspect of international applications is that they are part of waste systems with advanced segregation, such as source segregated organics collection. Where conversion technologies have been most successful is in locations with already established programs for waste segregation and collection, dedicated waste streams (e.g., plastic from industrial partners), and waste supply contracts so that potential plants can operate economically.