EFW

EfW stands for Energy from Waste. It is a process that recovers energy, typically electricity or heat, from the thermal treatment of waste materials. This method is a form of waste management that diverts waste from landfills, where it can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and occupy valuable space. EfW plants operate by combusting or gasifying waste under controlled conditions. The heat generated from this process is then used to produce steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity or is used directly for heating purposes. The primary types of EfW facilities include incineration plants and gasification or pyrolysis plants. Incineration involves burning waste at high temperatures, while gasification and pyrolysis involve heating waste in the absence of oxygen to produce a synthesis gas (syngas) or bio-oil, which can then be used as fuel. Modern EfW facilities are designed with advanced pollution control systems to minimize emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere. The remaining ash from the process can sometimes be recycled for use in construction materials. EfW is considered part of a broader waste hierarchy, often positioned as a preferable alternative to landfilling for non-recyclable waste, while still prioritizing waste reduction and recycling.