Durham Region has come up with a plan to divert 70% of its waste from disposal by building a waste-to-energy (WtE) plant, rather than using landfill. I believe this is a positive approach to a very real problem. Toronto still intends to use its Green Lane Landfill site near London to truck its garbage, but should look at other options. For the GTA, the energy-from-waste (EfW) option has been readily available as close as Buffalo for some time.
For the print industry, I had sourced this as an alternative option for a large label printing company with respect to the vast amount of residual matrix from the dye-cutting process. Although generally paper-based, most of this waste has an adhesive backing making it non-recyclable and ending up as landfill. Being organic in nature, this type of waste bio-degrades to produce methane gas and having more than 20 times the potency of carbon dioxide, methane is ranked as a dangerous contributor to global warming. But, this waste stream has a high BTU rating and is desirable for incineration in WtE facilities. Other wastes from our industry, such as spent rubber blankets, waste lamination materials, general garbage and solidified inks that are normally difficult to recycle could be included in a WtE program.
Energy-from-waste or waste-to-energy is a process that takes industrial or municipal solid waste -including household trash — and transfers it into combustion chambers where it is reduced to 10% of its original volume in the process. The heat generated from the combustion chambers heats up water in steel tubes that form the walls of the combustion chambers. The water is turned to steam and sent through a turbine that continuously generates electricity (Covanta Energy).
According to Covanta Energy, a major player in energy-to-waste, over the past 25 years, the EfW industry has developed state-of-the-art technology that makes it one of the cleanest forms of energy generation. The Energy Policy Act of 2006, Department of Energy and 23 states have classified EfW as a renewable technology, and the Department of Energy states that turning garbage into energy makes “important contributions to the overall effort to achieve increased renewable energy use and the many associated positive environmental benefits.” The advanced technology in combusting waste is the air quality (emission) control system. Energy-from-waste facilities meet or exceed the strictest federal standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and employ a multi-step process to achieve superior environmental performance.
Less dependence on imported fuels: For every tonne of waste processed in an EfW facility, we avoid importing one barrel of oil or mine one-quarter tonne of coal.
Net Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction: For every tonne of waste processed in an EfW facility, almost one-tonne of GHG is avoided. It’s interesting to think that our own garbage could be driving our printing presses or cooking our dinner while reducing global warming.
E-Waste: What could you do with your unwanted computer equipment? Consider donating unwanted items to support the National Cristina Foundation through the Dell recycling program. The National Cristina Foundation and Dell have partnered to provide computer technology to people with disabilities, students at risk and economically disadvantaged persons. Combined with training, this program enables these people to lead more productive lives. There’s no charge to Informco to donate used or obsolete computer technology. The process is straightforward. Plus, by donating no-longer-needed systems, you can reduce storage costs and administrative time and expenses.
E-waste Facts at a Glance
The amount of disposed computers and peripherals doubled in 2006 to more than 67,000 tonnes in Canada alone (Environment Canada).
Environment Canada reports that every year Canadians bury or incinerate 158,000 tonnes of dead and obsolete computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, TVs, mobile phones and similar products.
An estimated 4,740 tonnes of lead is contained in personal computers and televisions thrown away each year in Canada. Discarded personal computers contain an estimated 4.5 tonnes of cadmium and 1.1 tonnes of mercury (Environment Canada).
Computers and terminals that are no longer useful for your company may have several years of life left in them for a non-profit or public agency. Through Dell’s partnership with the National Cristina Foundation, you can donate this equipment to help local non-profit organizations and public agencies provide skills to disabled and economically disadvantaged children and adults throughout Canada.
In exchange, you receive a receipt for a tax deduction along with an online coupon for 10% off selected electronics and accessories purchased online through the Dell Systems Electronic and Accessories web site.
(VisitDell Recyclingand choose “Donate” to help disabled and economically disadvantaged children and adults obtain technology otherwise denied to them).
Waste cell phones and inkjet cartridges
The Canadian Association of Food Banks has a program that turns collected cell phones, inkjet or laser printer/copier cartridges into food for kids (e.g. – eight glasses of milk for each cartridge recycled). They also have a program for old cell phones Call 1-888-271-3641 for details or visit www.think-food.com. You could provide a drop box for your staff.
