Waste to Energy facilities can reduce the volume of Municipal Solid Waste by up to what percentage?

Waste to Energy facilities are designed to convert municipal solid waste into usable forms of energy, such as electricity or heat, through processes like combustion. One of the significant benefits of these facilities is their capability to substantially decrease the volume of waste that would otherwise require landfilling.

When waste is incinerated at these facilities, the organic material is vaporized, and the remaining inorganic materials are largely reduced in size. This process can achieve a reduction in volume of up to 90%. This high percentage reflects the efficiency of modern incineration technologies and the energy recovery processes, which not only address waste management issues but also contribute to energy generation.

The ability to reduce waste volume so significantly helps alleviate the pressure on landfills and promotes sustainable waste management practices, aligning with environmental goals to reduce waste and enhance energy recovery. This explains why the figure of 90% is recognized as a credible and commonly cited reduction capability of Waste to Energy facilities.