Waste, commonly known as trash, while distasteful to many, can actually be a strategic resource. The volume of waste generated by the world’s cities is growing in tandem with the world’s population and the pace of economic progress in developing countries. Emerging smart waste technologies offer the opportunity to generate renewable energy, enhance municipal solid waste (MSW) collection, and optimize the environmental performance of landfills.
At the heart of the smart waste evolution, according to the report, is a focus on reducing operational costs and using MSW as a strategic renewable resource for material and energy recovery — all supported by technologies for smart collection (using radio frequency identification [RFID] tagging and global positioning system [GPS] routing), smart processing (at advanced recovery facilities that use mechanical biological treatments and refuse-derived fuel production systems), and energy recovery (including waste-to-energy, waste-to-fuels, and landfill gas-to-energy technologies).
The emerging smart waste market will grow rapidly over the next decade, according to Navigant. Smart energy recovery — which includes facilities like incineration plants, landfill gas capture projects, and advanced biorefineries — is the most mature smart waste segment, but high capital costs and the localized focus of waste management services remain key impediments to greater smart technology diffusion in the waste sector, Navigant contends.
“While the total volume of waste generated globally is expected to grow by nearly 50 percent over the next 10 years, the adoption of innovative technologies will result in more integrated waste management offerings that move beyond the traditional use of labor, diesel trucks, and conventional landfills,” said Mackinnon Lawrence, research director with Navigant Research. “This dynamic evolution in an otherwise stable industry offers a wealth of opportunities for both existing waste hauler stakeholders and new waste management industry market entrants.
Source: Fierceenergy.com
