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Renewable Energy Recovery Solutions

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Even when waste is too complex or too risky to fully repurpose, there are still opportunities to create value from it. Utilizing industry-leading technology, our thermomechanical treatment facilities (TTFs) transform these unsalvageable, post-recycled materials into renewable steam and electricity via waste-to-energy technology.

How waste-to-energy companies drive sustainability

Renewable energy recovery, a process made possible at thermomechanical treatment facilities, is a powerful tool in helping businesses and communities achieve their sustainability goals. Not only does it safely and effectively manage their unrecyclable waste materials—it enables them to generate eco-friendly steam and electricity through waste-to-energy technology.

Maximizing value with renewable energy recovery solutions

Renewable energy recovery solutions are a great way to manage the final bits of waste materials that are unfit for recycling. They’ll reduce your environmental footprint, protect your brand, and create value that will ultimately benefit your bottom line.

Powerful landfill diversion

Prevents post-recycled materials from being sent to landfills, where they would accumulate and force landfills to expand as waste continues to be produced.

A carbon-negative energy source

Renewable generation of steam and electricity that outperforms wind and solar when the avoided environmental impacts of waste are considered.

Innovative GHG mitigation

Avoids landfill-induced greenhouse gases and has highly stringent emission standards, ultimately preventing millions of tons of emissions from entering the atmosphere.

A shield against waste

Protects people and the planet by eliminating waste materials that could contaminate soils and waterways, harm communities or businesses, and adversely affect ecosystems.

Supports thorough recycling

Recovers and recycles metals and other resources that are too fine or complex for standard systems, including ash.

An asset to circularity

Synergizes with other solutions to reduce waste, uncover new sustainability opportunities, and close the loop on most supply chains.

TTF incineration: unlocking renewable energy credits

When accounting for the emissions avoided due to landfill diversion, renewable energy recovery is considered a rare source of carbon-negative energy.

As a result, this solution is an ideal partner to ReCredit, our sustainable carbon offsets that leverages Reworld™ technology to generate RECs that are 10x more impactful than those derived from wind or solar energy sources.

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Dive deeper into the truth behind waste-to-energy

Read our e-book for more details on renewable energy recovery solutions, such as waste-to-energy, and how they can be leveraged to discover value beyond disposal.

Download the e-Book

Did you know?

Methane as a greenhouse gas is 84x more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period—a timeframe many experts consider pivotal in averting the worst impacts of climate change. Technologies like waste-to-energy are among the most impactful ways to reduce methane generation.

 

A waste-to-energy company that makes an impact

Every year, we sustainably manage more than 20 million tons of waste, divert 41 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, and generate enough renewable energy to continually power 1 million homes.

Take a virtual tour of a thermomechanical treatment facility

See the science behind waste-to-energy recovery and find out how this solution transforms unsalvageable waste into a renewable, carbon-negative source of energy that powers homes and businesses.

Benefiting the well-being of companies and communities with recovery technologies

  • Safety-TEAL

    Safety

    Waste is efficiently and environmentally destroyed and transformed into energy to power companies and communities, creating cycles that optimize resource value, reduce carbon footprints, and regenerate ecosystems.

  • Assurance-TEAL

    Assurance

    Waste is diligently and discreetly rendered unrecoverable, mitigating liabilities that compromise privacy, expose intellectual property, and impact brand reputation.

  • Sustainability-TEAL

    Sustainability

    Waste is efficiently and environmentally destroyed and transformed into energy to power companies and communities, creating cycles that optimize resource value, reduce carbon footprints, and regenerate ecosystems.

Waste-to-Energy Resources

Renewable Energy Recovery FAQ

What is waste-to-energy?

Waste-to-energy (WTE), energy-from-waste (EFW), incineration and the like are all various terms for the same general technology. It involves a well-established process where waste is burned at extremely high temperatures to destroy materials and produce steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity. WTE helps reduce landfill waste and its emissions while generating a sustainable energy source that can supplement traditional fossil fuels and close the loop on circular economy business models. In the United States, the most modern sites for waste-to-energy processing are known as thermomechanical treatment facilities (TTFs). In addition to having WTE capabilities, these TTFs are also equipped with a number of advanced systems that filter and control emissions, extract metals for recycling, reuse water and perform several other functions that contribute to minimizing environmental impacts while maximizing value creation.

Does incineration replace recycling?

No, incineration via waste-to-energy does not replace recycling. Recycling remains the environmentally preferred option for managing waste, as it allows for the reuse of materials without the need for energy-intensive processing. However, WTE serves as a complementary solution by handling waste that cannot be recycled effectively, preventing it from ending up in landfills and contributing to environmental pollution. In fact, communities that utilize waste-to-energy technology have higher recycling rates than the national average, with some reaching over 50 percent. Additionally, TTFs are oftentimes one of the largest recyclers in the region due to their advanced metal recovery systems.

How does waste-to-energy work?

Waste-to-energy is a process that converts non-recyclable waste into energy, typically in the form of steam, electricity, and heat. At thermomechanical treatment facilities, the process involves several key steps:

  1. Waste Collection and Sorting – Non-recyclable waste is collected from municipal, industrial, and commercial sources. Some facilities perform pre-sorting to remove recyclable materials, hazardous waste, and bulky items that cannot be incinerated.
  2. Feeding and Combustion – The waste is fed into a high-temperature combustion chamber, where it is burned at temperatures typically exceeding 1,800°F (980°C). This process significantly reduces the volume of waste, leaving behind ash and gases.
  3. Energy Recovery – The heat generated from combustion is used to produce steam, which drives a turbine connected to a generator. This mechanical energy is converted into electricity which can be supplied to the grid, or used directly for industrial or district heating purposes.
  4. Emissions Control – Advanced air pollution control systems, including scrubbers, filters, and electrostatic precipitators, remove harmful pollutants such as dioxins, heavy metals, and particulate matter before releasing the cleaned exhaust gases into the atmosphere.
  5. Residual Management – The remaining ash is processed to recover metals for recycling, while the non-metal portion is safely recycled into components for construction materials.

Overall, WTE provides an efficient and controlled method for waste disposal while generating renewable energy. Modern facilities, like the TTFs owned and operated by Reworld™ adhere to strict environmental regulations to minimize emissions and maximize resource recovery.

Who recovers energy from waste?

TTF energy recovery (waste-to-energy) is utilized by municipalities, industrial facilities, and large-scale commercial operations looking for sustainable waste disposal alternatives. Many local governments integrate WTE into their waste management strategies to reduce landfill dependency, while manufacturing plants and other businesses benefit from direct energy recovery and cost savings associated with waste disposal.

What are the benefits of waste-to-energy?

Waste-to-energy provides multiple benefits, including waste reduction, renewable energy generation, and greenhouse gas emissions mitigation. By diverting waste from landfills, WTE reduces emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. It also provides a steady source of electricity or heat that can help offset reliance on fossil fuels, and in the case of Reworld™, generate Renewable Energy Certificates / Credits (RECs). Additionally, the thermomechanical treatment facilities that house most of the waste-to-energy technology throughout the United States are designed with advanced emission controls, metals recycling, and water reuse systems, among others, which collectively minimize environmental impact while maximizing value creation.

Is waste-to-energy actually safe and sustainable?

Yes, when properly managed, waste-to-energy is both safe and sustainable. Advanced emissions control technologies, such as scrubbers and filters, ensure that harmful pollutants like dioxins and heavy metals are minimized. Additionally, WTE reduces landfill waste, lessens reliance on fossil fuels, and provides a controlled way to extract energy from materials that would otherwise contribute to environmental degradation. However, sustainability depends on responsible facility management and adherence to environmental regulations—something Reworld™ continuously exceeds in across our locations.

What should I look for in a waste-to-energy provider?

When selecting a waste-to-energy provider, look for a company with a strong track record in environmental compliance, modern emissions control technology, and sustainable practices. Transparency in operations, adherence to industry regulations, and a commitment to innovation in waste management should be key factors. Additionally, consider providers that offer integrated, diverse, and end-to-end waste solutions to ensure a holistic and environmentally responsible waste management strategy.

Renewable Fuel Creation
Resource Reuse & Recycling