Disadvantage of building an energy producing waste burning disposal plant in washington DC - Essay Example

Waste-to-Energy Facilities: An assessment for Washington D.C. Introduction Along with the improvements and population increase in Washington D.C. isthe problem on waste management so that it wastes would be useful; as in like recycling and reusing. Waste to energy (WTE) plants are one of the options for waste management and at the same time, producing energy. According to Energy Aware Organization (n.d.), “waste-to-energy is a renewable energy because its fuel source, garbage, is sustainable and is not depleted.” The U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency contends that this type of renewable resource is “clean and reliable” (as cited in EAO). However, according to Curlee et al. (1994), WTE facilities have encountered questions about reliability and safety. These contradicting arguments are the main theme of this essay. This will examine the disadvantages of waste-to-energy facilities and if it is suitable to use in Washington D.C.Disadvantages The trouble is environmental degradation. It is said that the emissions from waste to energy plants can potentially expound the problem on air pollution.

Furans, dioxins and other carcinogenic compounds are the main waste products of this type of process (Curlee et al., 1994). Gas emissions and metal particles which blend to the environment would lead to environmental imbalance. Furthermore, WTE plants use water for “boilers and in cooling.” The water, if discharged, can also harm aquatic life and makes its way to the food chain. This is alarming since both health and environment would be at risk. Cost-efficiency is also a problem wherein the maximized utilization of this process is only for steam and electricity and would be less operational for other needs (Recovered Energy, n.d.).

It does not also make use of all types of wastes; thus sorting out would be a hassle. Another thing is the cost of the facilities. It has been reported that “60 megawatts of electricity from about 2,250 tons of trash daily would cost about $350 million” (Combs, n.d.); too expensive for waste management process. A study by Lux Research Inc. (n.d.) stated the major challenges of the technology would include lack of versatility and waste-gas clean up. Many WTE technologies were “designed to handle one or few types of wastes.

” Such technology needs exact sorting of all waste materials which is a hard thing to do, since determining the components of waste materials would require time and effort. Conclusion Washington D.C. is a highly progressive district. The place has a lot of business establishments and consequently has a growing number of populations. Having WTE facilities in Washington may cause immediate harm to the environment and its effects would eventually creep into our health. WTE may be a way on reducing waste products; however its consequences are more alarming than that which is brought by community wastes.

Self-involvement regarding proper waste management is of great help where domestic wastes are regulated at home. Such responsibility would reduce the burden of the government, making them choose what is appropriate for the environment and health, and not what is effective for a large volume of wastes. There are other means of waste management and energy production that are more environmental and people friendly, although we might need to sacrifice a little bit of our valued convenience. ReferencesCombs, S. (n.d.). Municipal Waste Combustion.

Window on State Government. Retrieved from http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/energy/renewable/municipal.phpCurlee, R.T., Schexnayder, S.M., Vogt, D.T., Wolfe, A.K., Kelsay, M.P., Feldman, D.L. (1994). Waste-to-Energy in the United States. Westport, CT: Quorum Books.Energy Aware Organization. (n.d.) Waste to energy. EAO. Retrieved from http://www.getenergyaware.org/energy-waste-energy.aspLux Research Inc. (n.d.). Waste to energy. Retrieved from http://www.luxresearchinc.com/pdf/08CTR_tech_profile.

pdfRecovered Energy Inc. (n.d.). Traditional Waste-to-Energy plants. Retrieved from http://www.recoveredenergy.com/d_wte.html.