Abstract
In this article, intermediate treatment of municipal solid waste (MSW) is discussed with regard to its role in the creation of a sound material cycle and low carbon society. Recent developments on incineration technology are first reviewed to reveal the potential of this technology to address the issue of global warming. The paper then evaluates some combinations of intermediate treatment methods, such as recycling of containers and packaging wastes, methane fermentation of organic wastes, and incineration under the life cycle assessment technique. The major items evaluated here are in the categories of cost, energy consumption, and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the framework of MSW treatment. Some of the challenges of the co-management system, including other industrial wastes for CO2 and energy reduction, are then also introduced. Finally, the paper also discusses the beneficial use of residue from intermediate treatment.
