An easy way to think about the waste-to-energy process is that it turns your trash into electricity for your home. Waste-to-energy is a form of recycling and is simple. Incoming trucks dump trash in an enclosed reception area. This trash, or fuel, is placed on an inclined furnace floor that carries the trash through the furnace.

Temperatures in the furnace exceed 2,500º Fahrenheit. Combustion air is drawn from the refuse reception area and blown into the furnace both above and below the grates to keep the fire burning efficiently. This process of using air from the refuse storage area prevents the escape of dust and eliminates odors. The combustion process is complete and efficient, combining the right elements of heat, air, and turbulence at exactly the right times.

A boiler, consisting of walls of steel tubes circulating hot water around the furnace above the grate, converts this water to superheated steam. The steam drives a turbine, which in turn operates a generator and produces electricity. A modern waste-to-energy plant utilizes efficient technologies to control and reduce potential pollutants.

First, a precise and efficient combustion system assures thorough destruction and breakdown of your trash into hot gases and ash.

Secondly, the Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction of Nitrogen Oxides (a byproduct of any combustion processes) reduces emissions of acid rain precursors in the combustion gases.

Then, Dry Scrubbers reduce acid gases (such as Sulfur Dioxide and Hydrogen Chloride) and other combustion byproducts, like mercury.

In addition, a Carbon Injection System continuously injects activated carbon into the combustion gases to further reduce the level of mercury and other organic pollutants.

Finally, Fabric Filters thoroughly "vacuum" the exhaust combustion gases free of fly ash - the residual soot, smoke and ash-like material through thousands of special filter bags.

Special monitors continuously track the emissions from our facility to assure that the most stringent standards in the country are maintained around-the-clock. The Result: mercury emissions are reduced by over 85%, acid gas emissions by over 95% and more than 99.9% of the soot, smoke and ash is removed!

Waste-to-Energy is endorsed by the U.S. EPA, which recommends a clear and logical approach to handling our municipal solid waste in the United States: reduce the packaging and waste materials we use in the first place, recycle what trash we can at home and at work, dispose of non-recyclable waste in safe and modern landfills, and use advanced waste-to-energy plants to create electricity and dramatically reduce remaining waste volumes. This strategy allows for the most flexible, efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sound solutions for communities across the country.

Just a few facts about solid waste in the U.S. and the success of waste-to-energy projects:

• In 2000, Americans will generate more than 250 million tons of trash - 156 million tons that need to be managed even after recycling and composting;
• Today, 102 waste-to-energy plants in 31 states convert trash from 37 million people into enough electricity for 2.5 million homes.
• These waste-to-energy facilities manage approximately 14 percent of all Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generated nationwide, according to the Integrated Waste Services Association.
• According to a study conducted by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a major advantage of waste-to-energy is that the energy produced in the process is generated with less of an environmental impact than energy produced from oil or coal.
• The U.S. Department of Energy (http://www.nrel.gov/doe.html) has identified waste-to-energy technology as a major component of a plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in America over the long term.