Energy and materials flow modelling of MSW: options for management of the plastics fraction in household waste
Energy and materials flow modelling of MSW: options for management of the plastics fraction in household waste
This paper describes a model developed to analyse the energy footprint associated with the collection, separation, processing and disposal of Municipal Solid Waste, allowing evaluation of the different options for its management. The model starts from the point where material becomes ‘waste’ and follows it through until disposal and/or processing, determining the energy consumption for each stage. The analysis is illustrated using a case study of the plastics fraction within household waste, and the results show that the major source of energy savings from recycling is through increased use of recycled plastics in the manufacture of new plastic goods. There is a maximum reduction of between 45.5 – 54.9 %, depending on collection method, when compared to the base-case scenario.
The waste management option that gives the lowest energy footprint is dependent on the collection method, what plastics are being recycled, and the level of incineration of the residual waste stream. Generally, at low-medium levels of incineration the best option would be a combination of recycling plus incineration. Conversely, at high incineration levels, the best option would be incineration without recycling of the plastics.
Dacombe, P.
848848a6-3b3b-4d96-81d9-c67f3746a110
Banks, C.J.
5c6c8c4b-5b25-4e37-9058-50fa8d2e926f
Heaven, S.
f25f74b6-97bd-4a18-b33b-a63084718571
2004
Dacombe, P.
848848a6-3b3b-4d96-81d9-c67f3746a110
Banks, C.J.
5c6c8c4b-5b25-4e37-9058-50fa8d2e926f
Heaven, S.
f25f74b6-97bd-4a18-b33b-a63084718571
Dacombe, P., Banks, C.J. and Heaven, S.
(2004)
Energy and materials flow modelling of MSW: options for management of the plastics fraction in household waste.
ISWA World Environment Congress and Exhibition, Rome, Italy.
17 - 21 Oct 2004.
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Conference or Workshop Item
(Paper)
Abstract
This paper describes a model developed to analyse the energy footprint associated with the collection, separation, processing and disposal of Municipal Solid Waste, allowing evaluation of the different options for its management. The model starts from the point where material becomes ‘waste’ and follows it through until disposal and/or processing, determining the energy consumption for each stage. The analysis is illustrated using a case study of the plastics fraction within household waste, and the results show that the major source of energy savings from recycling is through increased use of recycled plastics in the manufacture of new plastic goods. There is a maximum reduction of between 45.5 – 54.9 %, depending on collection method, when compared to the base-case scenario.
The waste management option that gives the lowest energy footprint is dependent on the collection method, what plastics are being recycled, and the level of incineration of the residual waste stream. Generally, at low-medium levels of incineration the best option would be a combination of recycling plus incineration. Conversely, at high incineration levels, the best option would be incineration without recycling of the plastics.
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Published date: 2004
Venue - Dates:
ISWA World Environment Congress and Exhibition, Rome, Italy, 2004-10-17 - 2004-10-21
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Local EPrints ID: 53693
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/53693
PURE UUID: 3350d5c2-c83d-4c15-9a41-c95f3cd8e4fd
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Date deposited: 29 Jul 2008
Last modified: 23 Jul 2022 01:40
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Author:
P. Dacombe
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