Waste-to-Energy - summary and conclusions from the IEA Bioenergy ExCo71 workshop

The purpose of the workshop was to provide the Executive Committee with an overview of waste to energy both at a global level and in the context of an emerging economy. The aim was to stimulate discussion between the Executive Committee, Task Leaders, invited experts, and various stakeholders and thereby to enhance the policyoriented work within IEA Bioenergy.

The study comprised four components to assess potential zero waste strategies; a waste stream analysis to determine the waste stream composition and quantities of specific fractions in the waste stream; a carbon emission/reduction assessment of each strategy; a landfill airspace assessment, and an evaluation of the costs and potential income and savings associated with each strategy.

The study shows that source separation to remove dry recyclables, with door-to-door collection; compositiing of the remaining biogenic-carbon waste in windrows; using the maturated compost as a substitute fertiliser, and disposal of the remining fossil-carbon waste to sanitary landfills will yield the best GHG-emission reductions at the lowerst investment capital - yet still far higher than the current disposal or event dumping.