Which of the following statements regarding Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plants is correct?
(a) They convert all types of municipal solid waste into electricity without any emissions.
(b) The primary method of energy generation in WTE plants is anaerobic digestion.
(c) They reduce landfill dependence but can produce toxic emissions if not properly managed.
(d) These plants rely exclusively on non-biodegradable waste for energy production.

Question

Which of the following statements regarding Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plants is correct?
(a) They convert all types of municipal solid waste into electricity without any emissions.
(b) The primary method of energy generation in WTE plants is anaerobic digestion.
(c) They reduce landfill dependence but can produce toxic emissions if not properly managed.
(d) These plants rely exclusively on non-biodegradable waste for energy production.

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

Correct option (c): Waste To Energy plants help reduce landfill waste by converting non-recyclable waste into energy. However, if not properly managed, they can release toxic emissions like dioxins, furans, and heavy metals, which require strict pollution control measures.

Other incorrect options:

Option (a): Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plants do not process all types of waste; they primarily handle combustible materials like plastics, paper, and organic waste. While modern WTE plants have emission control systems, they still produce some emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2), dioxins, and other pollutants.

Option (b): Anaerobic digestion is used mainly for organic waste (like food waste and sewage sludge), producing biogas. However, the most common method in WTE plants is incineration, where waste is burned to generate steam, which drives turbines to produce electricity.

Option (d): Waste To Energy plants process both biodegradable (organic) and non-biodegradable waste to generate energy. Organic waste can be used in anaerobic digestion, while non-recyclable waste is incinerated.

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