Combustible waste from households or wood waste that is not suitable for reuse or recycling is burnt to recover energy in municipal waste incineration plants, cement works or other thermal plants. The heat released is used to generate electricity and heat buildings.
In energy recovery, waste is used as a direct source of energy to generate electricity or heat. The waste needs to contain a sufficient amount of enery. If the energy content is too low or the main aim is to destroy or remove pollutants from the waste, this is known as thermal processing.
In material energy recovery, part of the waste is recycled. Whether energy only or both material and energy are recovered from waste depends on the disposal method and the waste’s ash content. The Ordinance on the Avoidance and the Disposal of Waste (SR 814.600, ADWO) specifies the minimum ash content for material energy processes, for example that for cement production is given in Annex 4.
Last modification 23.01.2025
