Promoting Waste-to-Energy: Nexus Thinking, Policy Instruments, and Implications for the Environment
Hettiarachchi, Hiroshan and Kshourad, Chandrashekar, "Promoting Waste-to-Energy: Nexus Thinking, Policy Instruments, and Implications for the Environment" in Current Developments in Biotechnology & Bioengineering: Waste Treatment Processes for Energy Generation ed. Kumar, Sunil, Kumar, Rakesh and Pandey, Ashok (Amsterdam: Susan Dennis, 2019), 163-184.
Document type:
Book Chapter
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Author Hettiarachchi, Hiroshan
Kshourad, ChandrashekarBook Editor Kumar, Sunil
Kumar, Rakesh
Pandey, AshokChapter Title Promoting Waste-to-Energy: Nexus Thinking, Policy Instruments, and Implications for the Environment Book Title Current Developments in Biotechnology & Bioengineering: Waste Treatment Processes for Energy Generation Publication Date 2019 Place of Publication Amsterdam Publisher Susan Dennis Start page 163 End page 184 Language eng Abstract Waste management practices have always been flexible enough to incorporate modern technology without disrupting their intended purpose. Modern-day waste management should also entail ways to benefit from this resource, not simply burying or burning it, as used to be the case. One promising technique is undoubtedly waste-to-energy (WTE) conversion. It offers an efficient means of managing waste that fits ideally with the needs of large population centers, while providing a source of alternative and renewable energy. In this context the objective of this chapter is to discuss how we may use various policy instruments to promote WTE to maximize its benefits to society. One interesting way to understand the relationship between waste and energy is to look at WTE through the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus. The role of waste in the WEF nexus and how it can be enhanced through WTE and correct policy interventions are discussed in the first half of the chapter. For the ease of discussion, we have grouped the stakeholders into categories: manufacturers, consumers, collectors, operators, and policy makers/implementers. How policy instruments may assist us in promoting WTE is then discussed by taking five different examples: banning combustible waste from landfills, financial incentives to reduce the existing landfill footprint, WTE certificates, variable tax rates for different wastes, and the mandatory labeling of energy potential. While one of these instruments has already been implemented, the others are new or modified suggestions of policy instruments found in other disciplines. Where appropriate, these policy instruments are also elaborated using brief case studies. The implications for the environment are also discussed at the end of the chapter along two themes: WTE as a method of waste management and as a method of energy production. The carbon neutrality of WTE is a major strength, and from the sustainability point of view WTE is much more promising than landfilling. UNBIS Thesaurus WASTE MANAGEMENT Keyword Incineration
Landfilling
Municipal solid waste (MSW)
Nexus thinking
Policy instruments
Renewable energy
Sustainability
Waste segregation
Waste to energy (WTE)Copyright Holder Elsevier B.V. Copyright Year 2019 Copyright type All rights reserved DOI 10.1016/B978-0-444-64083-3.00009-9 -
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