ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

MATERIAL DIVERSION

The processing of fresh ash from a Waste‐to‐Energy (WTE) plant will result in additional saved airspace in landfills due to the diversion of both metals and minerals. GEM-Ash continues to undertake research and development efforts to ensure maximum metal extraction for smelting into new metal and maximum mineral cleanup for sustainable reuse in civil applications.  

METALS RECOVERY

The quantity of metals diverted will depend on the amount of metals contained within the ash stream. However, the total recovery of both ferrous and non‐ferrous metals is typically in the range of 4 to 11%.  Recovery of the metals will also improve the overall quality of leachate generated at landfills due to the removal of heavy metals from the ash stream. 

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS 

Metals recovered from the ash streams offset requirements for additional mining for virgin metals. This results in reduced deforestation and heavy mining processes, which are additional emission sources themselves. There are also reduced Carbon Dioxide emissions from the smelting of recycled metals versus primary metals, as shown in the table above.