What is a primary function of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facilities?

The primary function of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facilities is to convert municipal solid waste (MSW) into usable energy, generally in the form of electricity or heat. While WTE facilities do involve the handling of various waste types, including potentially hazardous substances, their main goal is not primarily focused on isolating and removing those substances. Instead, the WTE process typically involves incineration, which reduces the volume of waste significantly and captures the energy generated from combustion.

WTE facilities often incorporate technologies designed to minimize the release of harmful emissions, and they can utilize advanced air pollution control systems to manage any toxic pollutants produced during the combustion process. While the goal does include managing waste effectively, the emphasis is on energy production as a byproduct of waste management.

Thus, better isolation and removal of toxic or hazardous substances, although a consideration in overall waste management, is not the central mission of WTE facilities. Their main purpose lies in energy recovery and reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills by converting it into energy, which provides a dual benefit of energy generation and waste reduction.