HOW DOES MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE POLICY AFFECT HEAT AND ELECTRICITY PRODUCED BY INCINERATORS?

Abstract

This study examines the effects of municipal solid waste (MSW) policy interventions, specifically sorted collections and unit-based pricing of heat and electricity produced by incinerators in Japan, considering technological and demographic factors. The study shows that the technological factors such as incineration capacity and 24 hours operation affect the available heat energy and electricity. In addition, some sorted collections and unit-based pricing have also affected them. Sorted collections of organic waste can increase available heat energy. For plastics containers and packaging, no significant effects have been observed for both heat energy and electricity. In contrast, for sorted collections of paper containers and packaging, negative significant effects have been observed for both heat energy and electricity. This phenomenon indicates that other factors than a decrease in lower calorific values may affect the heat energy and electricity. Operating years has affected electricity negatively though it has affected heat energy positively. These findings indicate that proper make-decision of MSW policy and choice of incineration type depend on whether which option the municipalities focus on either material recycling or energy recovery (either heat energy or electricity).