Turning waste into sustainable power

The ARE-R method helps to control electricity bills in residential and commercial buildings.

- Dr. RAJESH KUMAR ARORA and Divyanshu Arora

Global waste generation has surged due to rapid urbanisation, industrial expansion and population growth.

The improper waste disposal contributes to multiple ecological crises:

Air pollution: Open burning of waste releases dioxins, furans and particulate matter (PM2.5 & PM10), contributing to respiratory diseases and climate change.

Land degradation: Approximately 33 percent of global waste is disposed of in open dumps, leading to soil contamination and reduced agricultural productivity.

Water pollution: Leachate from landfills pollutes groundwater, affecting over 1.2 billion people globally.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: Landfills emit 20 percent of global methane (CH₄) emissions, a potent greenhouse gas with a 25-times higher global warming potential than CO₂ over 100 years.

Over 62 million metric tons of solid waste is generated annually with only 30 percent effectively processed in India. The rest is either dumped in landfills or burned, exacerbating environmental degradation. Given the country's growing energy needs, a sustainable approach to waste management is imperative.

Waste management and WTE technologies

Types of waste

Waste generation can be broadly categorised into different types based on its composition, source and potential for energy conversion. Understanding these waste streams is essential for identifying suitable Waste-to-Energy (WTE) technologies.

Municipal solid waste (MSW): These wastes comprise household and commercial waste, including biodegradable, plastic, metal, glass and paper waste. India generates 62 million metric tons of MSW annually with only 30 percent effectively processed.