Recovery

The recovery of energy from residual waste (e.g. waste is that which remains following all practicable efforts to extract recyclable and compostable material from the waste stream to optimise AWP and NWP targets) is a beneficial part of integrated resource management and can take many forms. New ways of managing energy recovery are being developed. Improved resource management can come from better source segregation of waste materials so that energy is recovered only from appropriate materials. Using alternative technologies including gasification, pyrolysis and plasma techniques may offer reductions in the potential risk to the environment and to human health.

For more information on the range of Waste Recovery Technologies :

• Anaerobic Digestion  (129k)
• Gasification  (133k)
• In-Vessel Composting  (151k pdf)
• Incineration  (131k)
• Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT)  (130k)
• Mechanical Heat Treatment (MHT)  (107k)
• Pyrolysis  (124k pdf)

SEPA has a number of current research and development projects. Including:

• The Evaluation of Energy from Biowaste Arisings and Forest Residues in Scotland (1.2mb pdf)
  Looks at the potential use of secondary and tertiary biomass for the generation of heat and electricity. The report demonstrates how diverting millions tonnes of waste from landfill could create some 7,200 jobs and produce 12.5 million MWh of energy.
  
• Development of a policy framework for the tertiary treatment of commercial and industrial wastes  (2.1mb pdf)
  Explores and makes recommendations on the range of options available for commercial and industrial waste processing in Northern Ireland and Scotland. The treatment options were evaluated by assessing both the technology and environmental costs.