What is incineration?
Incineration is a method of waste treatment that burns waste under controlled conditions. Different types of waste, such as hazardous waste, municipal solid waste, medical waste, etc., have to go to different incinerators specially equipped to handle that type of waste.
What is an incinerator?
Incinerators are enclosed devices using controlled flame combustion to thermally break down waste to an ash residue that contains little to no combustible materials.
Pros of incineration:
-Reduces the volume of waste needing disposal
-Can reduce toxicity of waste
-Can produce energy
-Can inactivate disease agents
Cons of incineration:
-Residues still require proper disposal
-May produce undesirable by-products
-There are capacity limitations
-Nearby residents may be reluctant
Waste-To-Energy:
Waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerating plants can produce electricity. Burning 250 tons of garbage per day can produce 6.5 megawatts of electricity per day, saving about $3 million per year.
See Myths and Facts about Incineration for more information.
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