Bioenergy Implementation Plan - South-East Regional Authority

6.6. Municipal Solid Waste
The Joint Waste Management Plan for the South-East Region outlines the policy for the management of all MSW
arisings within the Region for a 20-year period ( 32 ). The Plan has set out specific policy objectives for the collection and
treatment of MSW.
It is a policy objective of the Plan that a 3-bin waste collection service be introduced across the Region to ensure the
segregation of waste at source. It is intended that waste will be collected as three separate fractions:
1. Dry recyclables
2. Biowaste (organic fraction of MSW)
3. Residual waste.
Waste fractions 2 and 3 can be considered for the purpose of energy generation.
The quantities of biowaste and residual waste arisings predicted to be generated in the Region in 2011 are outlined in
Table 6.10. 2011 has been selected as a reference because it is the design year for the Plan.
Table 6.10: Predicted Waste Arisings for 2011
Year Waste Type Tonnage Biowaste Residual (t)
Fraction (t)
2011 MSW 336,400 53,000 140,500
In determining the biowaste fraction of MSW the organic faction of household and commercial wastes were assumed to
be 35% and 21% respectively.
Of the 53,000 tonnes of biowaste predicted to be collected in the Region, 20,000 tonnes are committed as feedstock
to the aerobic composting facility operated by Waterford City Council. The remaining 33,000 are available as a potential
bioenergy resource together with all residual waste generated.
It is the policy of the Joint Waste Management Plan for the South-East Region that residual waste arisings be treated
using thermal treatment incorporating energy recovery.
The potential bioenergy generation of these waste streams is outlined in Table 6.11. This scenario assumes that the
residual fraction of waste will be thermally treated incorporating energy recovery (i.e. electricity generation) and the
remaining biowaste fraction will be treated using anaerobic digestion.
Table 6.11: Potential Energy from MSW in the South-East Region
Waste Type Tonnage Biowaste Energy Energy
Generation (M 3 /yr) Generation (GW/y) (TJ/year)
Biowaste 33,000 330,000 77 277
Residual 140,000 - 128 461
TOTAL 173,000 205 738
south-east regional authority
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