Throughout the Western Balkans, waste is still considered an externality since vast quantities of waste are being deposited in open dump sites or even in nature, awaiting natural decomposition, uncontrolled incineration, or even being washed toward shores and contributing to marine litter. A substantial portion of these waste streams conceals untapped energy potential. Harnessing the latent energy potential residing within waste materials represents a huge opportunity that can contribute towards the Circular Economy vision of the sector. Such byproducts from waste recovery processes could generate income, supporting sector upgrades with EU Standards and supplying the industry with an alternative fuel directly contributing to the ambitious CO2 emission reduction. Finally, such practice addresses other detrimental effects of waste disposal (particularly landfilling and incineration) on the environment and human health. Producing alternative fuels via a waste-to-energy framework can contribute to diversifying the energy mix (especially in industrial processes), reducing overreliance on conventional fossil fuels and fostering energy security. By embracing the potential of ‘waste-to-energy’, WB countries embark on a transformative journey towards a more sustainable and resilient future, where resourcefulness and environmental responsibility intersect to address some of our most pressing global challenges. This endeavour demands concerted efforts from public authorities and industries to shift from a linear to a circular economy for a low-carbon future.
Waste to Energy: Unlocking The Potential Of Waste As An Alternative Source Of Energy In The Western Balkans – Policy Brief
Rodion Gjoka
Primo
Writing – Review & Editing
2023
Abstract
Throughout the Western Balkans, waste is still considered an externality since vast quantities of waste are being deposited in open dump sites or even in nature, awaiting natural decomposition, uncontrolled incineration, or even being washed toward shores and contributing to marine litter. A substantial portion of these waste streams conceals untapped energy potential. Harnessing the latent energy potential residing within waste materials represents a huge opportunity that can contribute towards the Circular Economy vision of the sector. Such byproducts from waste recovery processes could generate income, supporting sector upgrades with EU Standards and supplying the industry with an alternative fuel directly contributing to the ambitious CO2 emission reduction. Finally, such practice addresses other detrimental effects of waste disposal (particularly landfilling and incineration) on the environment and human health. Producing alternative fuels via a waste-to-energy framework can contribute to diversifying the energy mix (especially in industrial processes), reducing overreliance on conventional fossil fuels and fostering energy security. By embracing the potential of ‘waste-to-energy’, WB countries embark on a transformative journey towards a more sustainable and resilient future, where resourcefulness and environmental responsibility intersect to address some of our most pressing global challenges. This endeavour demands concerted efforts from public authorities and industries to shift from a linear to a circular economy for a low-carbon future.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
