8.6 Waste Disposal Methods
181
8.6.1.1 Incineration
Incineration is the combustion of solid and organic waste in order to convert them
into gaseous products. This method is beneficial for disposing of solid residue and
municipal solid waste. It minimizes the quantity of solid waste by an average of
25% (McDougall et al. 2008). Incineration is commonly used for energy recovery
to generate electricity. It also has various advantages, including reduction of waste
volume, minimization of transportation costs, and lowering the emission of harmful
greenhouse gases.
Incineration further converts waste materials into ash, heat, and steam. It is done
on both a small and large scale by individuals and industries, respectively. Also, it
is used for disposing of solid, gaseous as well as liquid waste and acknowledged
as a practical way of disposing of some hazardous waste materials. However, it is
a controversial way of eliminating waste because it contributes to problems such
as gas emissions that pollute the environment. Concerns have also been raised
on persistent organic compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs), that may be created and could have serious environmental repercussions
(McDougall et al. 2008).
What are the negative impacts of incineration on the environment? What
alternatives could you propose for incineration?
8.6.1.2 Gasification and Pyrolysis
These are similar methods that decompose organic waste materials by exposing
waste to low volumes of oxygen and extremely high temperatures. Pyrolysis does
not use any oxygen, whereas gasification limits the amount of oxygen (Thomsen
et al. 2017). Comparing the two, gasification is more beneficial to the Going Green
initiative because it allows the process of burning to recover energy without harming
the environment.
8.6.1.3 Open Burning
This is a thermal waste treatment that causes harm to the environment. Incinerators
used during such processes do not have pollution control devices and have a
tendency to release substances such as dioxins, carbon monoxide, volatile organic
compounds, ash, hexachlorobenzene, and particulate matter (Das et al. 2018).
Unfortunately, many local authorities use this method as it is an affordable solution
to solid waste. Despite being the cheapest disposal method, it is esthetically
displeasing, breeds microorganisms and pests, and pollutes groundwater through
leaching.
181
8.6.1.1 Incineration
Incineration is the combustion of solid and organic waste in order to convert them
into gaseous products. This method is beneficial for disposing of solid residue and
municipal solid waste. It minimizes the quantity of solid waste by an average of
25% (McDougall et al. 2008). Incineration is commonly used for energy recovery
to generate electricity. It also has various advantages, including reduction of waste
volume, minimization of transportation costs, and lowering the emission of harmful
greenhouse gases.
Incineration further converts waste materials into ash, heat, and steam. It is done
on both a small and large scale by individuals and industries, respectively. Also, it
is used for disposing of solid, gaseous as well as liquid waste and acknowledged
as a practical way of disposing of some hazardous waste materials. However, it is
a controversial way of eliminating waste because it contributes to problems such
as gas emissions that pollute the environment. Concerns have also been raised
on persistent organic compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs), that may be created and could have serious environmental repercussions
(McDougall et al. 2008).
What are the negative impacts of incineration on the environment? What
alternatives could you propose for incineration?
8.6.1.2 Gasification and Pyrolysis
These are similar methods that decompose organic waste materials by exposing
waste to low volumes of oxygen and extremely high temperatures. Pyrolysis does
not use any oxygen, whereas gasification limits the amount of oxygen (Thomsen
et al. 2017). Comparing the two, gasification is more beneficial to the Going Green
initiative because it allows the process of burning to recover energy without harming
the environment.
8.6.1.3 Open Burning
This is a thermal waste treatment that causes harm to the environment. Incinerators
used during such processes do not have pollution control devices and have a
tendency to release substances such as dioxins, carbon monoxide, volatile organic
compounds, ash, hexachlorobenzene, and particulate matter (Das et al. 2018).
Unfortunately, many local authorities use this method as it is an affordable solution
to solid waste. Despite being the cheapest disposal method, it is esthetically
displeasing, breeds microorganisms and pests, and pollutes groundwater through
leaching.