What are the alternatives to landfills?
The following are some of the alternatives to a landfill or waste-to-energy incinerator that have been recently suggested to Hawaii County officials. – Anaerobic digestion — Uses microorganisms to break down organic materials in the absence of oxygen and is capable of creating renewable biogas energy. – Pyrolysis — Involves heating waste in an oxygen-starved environment, which creates a synthetic fuel that can be burned to produce electricity. – Gasification — Converts solid waste into gas by heating it at high temperatures with a controlled amount of oxygen. The gas, in turn, is burned to power a steam-powered turbine generator that can produce electricity. – Plasma Arc — Similar to gasification, but an electric arc combined with pressurized gas is used to heat solid waste.
