Why Many Waste-to-Energy Plants Struggle

Why burning waste to make electricity has faced problems in India, from low-quality waste to pollution concerns, and when it can work.

Waste-to-energy (WtE) plants burn waste to generate electricity. They seem to solve two problems at once. But in India, many have struggled.

Why WtE is attractive

Reduces waste going to landfills.
Generates electricity.

Why Indian WtE plants struggle

Low calorific value: Indian municipal waste has a high share of wet organic waste and inert material, and high moisture, so it burns poorly. Recyclable, high-energy materials like plastic and paper are often removed by waste pickers.
Mixed waste: without segregation, plants receive unsuitable waste.
Pollution: burning waste can release dioxins, furans and particulates if emissions controls are poor. Residents near plants, such as in Delhi’s Okhla, complained of pollution.
High costs: electricity from WtE is expensive, and power companies are reluctant to buy it.
Closures: several early WtE plants shut down or operated below capacity.

When WtE can work

With segregated, high-calorific waste, such as refuse-derived fuel made from non-recyclable dry waste.
With strict emission controls.
As a last option after reducing, reusing, recycling and composting.

Alternatives

Composting and biogas for wet waste.
Recycling dry waste.
Supplying non-recyclable waste as fuel to cement kilns.

The waste hierarchy

Economists and environmental experts recommend a waste hierarchy: reduce, reuse, recycle, recover energy, and only then dispose.

The underperforming plant

A city builds a waste-to-energy plant expecting it to solve its garbage problem. But the mixed, wet waste burns poorly, the plant runs below capacity and residents complain of smoke. The city shifts to segregation and composting for wet waste.

Thinking burning waste is always a clean solution

Poor-quality waste and weak emission controls make many WtE plants inefficient and polluting.

Key takeaways

WtE plants burn waste for electricity.
Indian waste is wet and low in calorific value, so it burns poorly.
Pollution and high costs have led to closures.
WtE works best with segregated, high-calorific waste and strict controls.