Waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies -- also known as advanced waste technologies --help improve the management of waste and harness the energy within materials that are traditionally viewed as rubbish.
The promise of WTE is that it turns a problem into a resource, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by effectively using waste to replace fossil fuel energy sources, and reducing the need for landfills. There are several options that can be broadly grouped into thermal, biological and mechanical processes.
Compared to landfill, advanced waste technologies can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which is a key driver for change in many countries. As part of this bigger picture, advanced waste technologies can play an anchoring role within a carefully planned integrated waste management system. Any appraisal of technologies should be informed by locally specific feasibility work, ensuring technologies are in line with local priorities. Experience elsewhere demonstrates that thorough planning and appraisal without a bias towards a particular technology or company, are fundamental to sound decision-making.