ECONOMY

WASTE MANAGEMENT SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2014 49RECOVERING ENERGY FROM WASTEWASTE TO ENERGYWASTE-TO-ENERGY PRODUCTION2The combustionprocess convertswaste to steam.3Steam drives a turbineto produce electricity.1After recycling, wasteis transferred to theWTE facility.4Air-quality-control equipmentcleans emissions.5Metals are recycled.POLLUTANT REDUCTIONSPollutants% ReductionDioxins and furans 99+%Mercury 96%Cadmium 96%Lead 97%Particulate matter 96%Hydrogen chloride 94%Sulfur dioxide 88%Nitrogen oxides 24%Our WTE plants use advanced emissionscontrolequipment to meet stringent airemissions standards, providing a cleaneralternative to the use of fossil fuels. Infact, the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency has described WTE facilities ashaving “less environmental impact thanalmost any other source of electricity.” 25According to the EPA, MSW combustionfacilities have reduced their emissionssignificantly between 1990 and 2005. 26Many of the communities we serve withour WTE facilities have implemented progressivewaste prevention and recyclingprograms and have set ambitious goalsfor encouraging public participation andincreasing recycling rates. WTE facilitiesalso have positive economic impacts. A2013 report by Governmental AdvisoryAssociates found that the WTE sector’sdirect and indirect contributions resultedin the creation of nearly 14,000 jobs;