From Waste to Resource: Addressing the Global MSW Challenge
The annual worldwide generation of more than 2 billion municipal solid waste (MSW) is a global problem, which the entire world is facing. This figure is expected to meet an increase with approximately 70% by 2050.
In accordance with the EU Landfill Directive, EU member countries are required to take the necessary measures by 2025, for preparing for re-use and the recycling of municipal waste in order to be increased to a minimum of 55 %, 60% and 65% by weight by 2025, 2030 and 2035 respectively.
It is impossible to solve the waste problem only via prevention and recycling. Green recovery technology is also of critical consequence.
The challenge that all waste management companies face is the fact that municipal waste is inconvenient to use as raw materials for the production of green electricity and thermal energy due to its high moisture content. Various combustion-based technologies exist on the market, however, they are inefficient and generate harmful emissions and by-products.
