Waste Management Rules – Answer: Waste-to-energy (WTE) is a technology for converting non-recyclable waste materials into usable fuel, usually heat or electricity. A common method is incineration in which waste is burned at high temperatures to boil water, creating steam that rotates a turbine to generate electricity.

Other methods include gasification, which uses large amounts of heat with little oxygen to turn waste into gas, and anaerobic digestion, where bacteria break down organic waste to produce biogas. The impact of WtE on the environment includes both benefits and drawbacks and is the subject of ongoing debate. Waste minimization facilities can reduce the amount of waste by approximately 90%, significantly extending the life of existing landfills and reducing the need for new landfills.

By diverting organic waste from landfills, WTE can also prevent the release of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. On the other hand, burning waste releases carbon dioxide and – especially in poorly controlled environments – pollutants such as dioxins, furans and heavy metals.

Some contemporary facilities use advanced scrubbing and filtration systems to trap these toxins. Critics have also argued that WtE could discourage more sustainable practices such as recycling and composting by creating a continued demand for waste. There are at least 21 WTE plants currently in operation and 133 biogas facilities in India.

The plants fall under the ambit of the Solid Waste Management Rules 2026, which mandate waste segregation and encourage waste-derived fuel (RDF) to reduce the burden on landfills.