Energy recovery
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.
Municipal waste incineration plants (MWI)
Combustible waste from households and waste wood that is not suitable for recycling undergo thermal treatment in waste incineration plants or waste wood furnaces. The heat released in the process is used to generate electricity and heat buildings.
Cement plants
Swiss cement works cover half of their high energy requirements using waste fuels. As a result, they reduce their fossil fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. They also recycle mineral waste. Together with the sector, the FOEN regulates the substances that may be used for cement production.
Other thermal treatment plants
A large number of other kinds of incineration plants exist in addition to municipal waste incineration plants and cement works. The nature of the combustion technology and waste gas cleaning treatment is tailored to the properties of the waste and the impurities it contains.