ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACTS OF RECYCLING POLICY ON ENERGY FROM WASTE FEEDSTOCK

This dissertation looks into the effects removing recyclable materials has on the calorific value (CV) of municipal solid waste (MSW) feedstock, which is due to be incinerated (combustion) within an energy from waste (EfW) facility. The removal of individual recyclable materials as well as overall mixed recyclables was considered. The increase of recycling was considered in particular quantities which are in-line with the government targets of 50% recycling by 2020 and 70% recycling by 2030. A hypothetical 90% recycling was also considered following this trend. It was found that the removal of materials from the MSW stream with little energy (such as food and garden waste) allows for a higher CV (MJ/kg, mega joule per kilogram) within the remaining MSW. Alternatively the removal of materials such as plastic which have a higher CV, could cause a reduction in the overall CV of the remaining waste. Overall, if recycling is increased equally across all materials based on the current recycling rates, then the CV is predicted to decrease within the remaining waste in the MSW stream, but not by a substantial amount (less than 1.2% change with 70% recycling). Results also showed that increasing recycling by these amounts decrease the mass of the remaining MSW by 4.95% (50% recycling), 19.09% (70%) and 33.23% (90%) respectively. Financial and environmental factors also considered indicate that increasing recycling is the best overall option for waste disposal. For the portion of waste that cannot feasibly be recycled, EfW (combustion) is currently a more beneficial option than landfill