Waste-to-Energy (WTE)/Waste to Usable New Products. The world is awash in waste: waste on land, waste in lakes and oceans – waste accumulating seemingly everywhere. And since this website is aimed at people involved in the climate issues of cities, municipal waste is one big issue. But – help is on the way. In this section we will introduce you to but just a few of the ways that humans of all (well, most) societies and cultures are trying to come to grips with waste, particularly as to the GHG emissions generated by waste. But just plain incineration of municipal waste, generating some amount of electricity in the process, just doesn’t cut it any more. “Can Major U.S. Cities Reach ‘Zero Waste’ Without Waste-to-Energy?” www.wastedive.com 10/26/16. “Nobilis” Nobilis is a “Bioenergy Plant That Recovers Waste and Produces Carbon-free Green Energy Through the Pyrogasification Process”. From a French company called Naoden. www.solarimpulse.com Sept. 2022. “$46 Million for New Technologies That Convert Carbon & Waste Into Clean Energy”. www.cleantechnica.com 8/31/22. “Turning Waste Into Power: the Plastic to Fuel Projects”. www.power-technology.com. There’s also Wastewater to Electricity (W2E). For this innovation, look at a Boston company called Cambrian Innovation – www.cambrianinnovation.com . CI’s field combines onsite wastewater management, water re-use, and energy generated (are you ready for this?) from wastewater. Cambrian’s technology to date has been directed at, and utilized by, companies in the beverage industry – the makers of beer, wine, and carbonated sodas. Some of its users include Lagunitas Brewing Company, Russian River Vineyards, and Dr. Pepper. In a similar vein: “Major Advance Made in Generating Electricity From Wastewater”. www.today.oregonstate.edu. Assisted by OSU scientists and engineers, microbial fuel cells produce electricity directly from wastewater, and effectively clean the wastewater as well. Plasma-Enhanced Melter (PEM) technology is used by InEnTec to turn municipal solid waste into syngas and other useful products. “High-powered Plasma Turns Garbage Into Gas”. www.wired.com Plastic waste remains a major problem, with approximately only 10% of discarded plastic being recycled. “Filipino Company is Turning Plastic Waste into Building Materials”. www.weforum.org 10/27/21. It gathers plastics from restaurants, companies, and consumers, and transforms them into usable raw materials like waterproof planks. Similarly: “7 Recycled Building Materials”. www.smart.arqlite.com/recycled-plastic-building-materials/ .The products generated include floor tiles, lumber, fences, roof tiles,gravel, bricks, concrete, and more. And don’t miss: “This New Construction-grade Building Material Recycles the World’s Worst Plastics”. www.bobvila.com/articles/byblocks-recycled-plastic-building-material/ The company involved here – ByFusion Global – is using discarded plastic to make an eco-friendly alternative to standard concrete blocks. www.byfusion.com The product is known as ByBlocks. ByFusion Global offers a “Community Blocker” which can be installed even in small community waste facilities, such as those operated by municipalities. www.byfusion.com/blocker . Finally, a company called Up Paint creates new paint out of discarded and recycled paint. www.uppaint.com Ideal as part of the emerging Circular Economy. Make it a part of your city’s Green Products preferred Purchasing program.
