Harvest Waste

Waste to Resource revolution in 2007 leading to lowest costs to society The fourth generation Waste-to-Energy plant in Amsterdam aimed to raise the bar for recovering sustainable energy, metals, and construction materials from urban waste. Drawing from lessons learned from operating the facility since 1993, thirty optimization measures were consolidated into a single concept centered around maximizing output. This mainly involved leveraging existing technology but in vastly improved ways, essentially creating a cutting-edge waste-fired power plant (WFPP). In the Waste-fired Power Plant (WFPP), the goal was to offer a sustainable solution for managing complex mixed municipal waste, all while keeping costs to society as low as possible. This meant maximizing the electricity generated from the waste while meeting commercial, environmental, and operational standards.To achieve this, the efficiency of both the incineration process and the energy recovery system was fine-tuned, drawing on proven technologies used in other thermal energy generation methods. This approach resulted in the development of a High Efficiency (HE) Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plant, capable of achieving a net electrical efficiency of over 30%. To enhance resource recovery, the flue gas cleaning system was engineered to exceed current EU standards, ensuring exceptional cleanliness while also enabling material recovery. In the HE WtE plant 99% of all waste is turned into useful energy and materials, including fly ash capturing applied in asphalt production, gypsum and salts recovered from the bag filters, and metals and minerals are recovered from bottom ash using a patented extraction and purification process before being sold or reused as construction materials. The circularity of the WtE facility is further demonstrated through its collaboration with the adjacent wastewater treatment plant and biogas installation. Here is how they work together: The WtE plant supplies heat and electricity to both neighboring facilities. The WtE incinerates the sludge reducing the need for landfilling of this hazardous material. Heat generated by the biogas plant is utilized for waste drying.  Biogas captured from the wastewater treatment and biogas plant is used for WtE start-up and shut down. The HE WtE plant's significant electricity production allows its business model to primarily rely on electricity sales. This reduces the need for additional income sources, making WtE a viable substitute for landfilling in countries with high electricity prices and low tipping fees. The WtE plant is key starting point for a circular economy! #harvestwaste #uttamenergy #wastetoenergy #sustainability #cleanenergy #circulareconomy

What we have  learned from >100 years of WtE operation: The importance of  emission standards Some incinerators operating in the Netherlands in the late 1980s were found to emit harmful dioxins, while others released concerning levels of heavy metals into the air. Due to government intervention, stricter standards and strict enforcement we  have been able to overcome this. Harmful emissions remain  a big challenge during the development and operation incinerators and Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plants in developing countries. As a result of these discoveries, The Netherlands enforced stricter emission standards for new WtE  plants to ensure safety for both people and the environment. These Dutch standards became the blueprint for similar rules across the EU and formed the foundation for Best Reference (BREF) standards for waste incineration. The third-generation WtE  plant in Amsterdam, operational since 1993, processes approximately 2,800 tonnes of waste daily, generating around 70MWe of electricity and heat. Its primary design focus was cleanliness, with a secondary focus on enhancing output. Through ongoing optimizations over its operational lifespan, the facility has achieved a 20% increase in output to date. The impact of enforcing stricter WtE mission standards was validated through extensive biomonitoring conducted by Wageningen University around several WtE plants. The study demonstrated that “the emissions [from WtE plants observed] did not affect the quality of crops and cow milk. Concentrations of heavy metals, PAHs and dioxins/PCBs were generally similar to background levels and did not exceed standards for maximum allowable concentrations in foodstuffs (e.g. vegetables and cow milk)”. Energy derived from waste, regardless of its form or location, should only be pursued if the facility's emissions meet or exceed the standards set forth in EU directive 2010/75. Achieving compliance with these standards requires the utilization of cutting-edge flue gas cleaning systems, along with continuous monitoring of emissions and stringent enforcement measures. Implementing WtE projects under less stringent standards can result in significantly higher indirect societal costs due to air pollution compared to adhering to these EU standards as a baseline. The European Best Reference (BREF) standards for WtE are our key implementing guidelines and for our minimum standard wherever we go. #harvestwaste #uttamenergy #wastetoenergy #sustainability #cleanenergy #circulareconomy

Big news for the development of Waste-to-Energy projects based on our beyond-Best-Available-Technology. Harvest Waste achieved first closing on its Series A fundraising to invest in the development of its Waste-to-Energy (WtE) project pipeline!    With our proven development approach, our network of likeminded partners and our unique High Efficiency WtE technology we are set up for success. Thanks to this capital raise we are able to bring our projects further and deliver sustainable waste management in regions that need it most.    Harvest Waste is a diverse team working on a better environment and improved living conditions by building our clean WtE projects. Reach out to us via www.harvestwaste.com or get in touch with someone from our team.

Amsterdam's 1969. Waste-to-Energy plant: A blueprint for reducing harmful emissions globally. Between the 1920s and 1960s, Amsterdam experienced rapid urbanization and population growth due to migration and improved hygiene. Combined with changing economic conditions,  people became wealthier  and consumption habits changed, this led to a a rapid increase in waste volumes produced.  Despite the government providing bins for free, many residents habitually continued to dump their waste in canals and on streets. By 1960, Amsterdam was producing enough waste to cover 15 football pitches with 10 meters of waste per year. The existing first generation  incinerator, with a capacity of 150,000 tonnes per year, could not handle the city's waste anymore. In 1969, a new Waste-to-Energy plant was built with a capacity of 500,000 tonnes per year. It generated around 40MWe of electricity for Amsterdam. Unlike the old plant, the new one had pollution control systems like an electrostatic precipitator and lime injection to remove pollutants. It also recovered materials like metals from the waste for reuse. Flue gas cleaning is crucial for Waste-to-Energy plants as burning waste produces harmful fumes. Amsterdam started incorporating these pollution control systems in 1969, setting a precedent for safer waste management practices. However, uncontrolled landfill fires and open burning still release dangerous fumes into the environment worldwide. Recent examples underscore this ongoing issue. In New Delhi, the Ghazipur landfill burst into flames, releasing toxic fumes and dangerous heat, causing throat and eye irritation among residents. Such fires, often triggered by combustible gases from decaying waste, highlight the urgent need for effective pollution control and handling of residual waste. Properly managed Waste-to-Energy plants, equipped with advanced pollution control systems, offer a better alternative to unsanitary landfilling, reducing harmful emissions and contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment. #harvestwaste #uttamenergy #wastetoenergy #sustainability #cleanenergy #circulareconomy

Did you know that the first waste incinerator with energy recovery in Amsterdam entered service  more than 100 years ago to avoid open dumping of waste in and around the city? In 1919 this “first generation” plant treated 150.000 tonnes per year. Originally, the facility primarily served to address pressing public health concerns and alleviate the spatial constraints associated with prevalent waste disposal practices, such as indiscriminate dumping. Through the incineration process, steam was generated and subsequently sold to the Amsterdam Energy Company, which converted it into electricity. Before 1877, Amsterdam was a dirty smelly city. Waste management relied on private collectors, leading to widespread disposal issues like dumping in canals and streets. This caused foul odors, water pollution, and disease outbreaks. Under pressure of a hygienist movement, the municipal  government initiated city cleaning services to ensure proper street sanitation as a public service to improve livability of the city. Waste collected was deposited in landfills within the city, creating significant inconvenience for the expanding population and urban development. With no viable alternatives, the municipality suggested dumping waste in a nearby lake, sparking substantial  public opposition. Waste incineration was selected as the option to dispose of the waste to avoid open dumping in nature, avoid environmental deterioration, and avoid the public health issues related to this dumping. In many countries, unsustainable waste disposal via open dumping in landfills, natural areas, or even open burning due to the absence of better options remains the norm. This causes problems similar to what Amsterdam dealt with in early 1900s. In accordance with the Asian Development Bank's eight-step plan for achieving a circular economy, the first pathway is to recover energy from residual waste which is now landfilled following strict emission standards avoiding the negative environmental and public health externalities. Our >100 years of experience in diverting waste from landfill via WtE can help many countries make rapid waste disposal upgrades offering a sustainable and competitive alternative to landfilling/dumping of waste. #harvestwaste #uttamenergy #wastetoenergy #sustainability #cleanenergy #circulareconomy

Why is Waste-to-Energy still relevant after 100+ years? Not all waste can be avoided The key to reducing household waste is to consume less in the first place. This aligns with the waste hierarchy, which prioritizes reduction at the top. Next comes smarter packaging. We can significantly lessen waste by redesigning how products are wrapped. Unfortunately this is not possible in all situations (yet). Not all waste can be recycled/re-used either After reducing and redesigning, reuse and recycling come into play. However, the way we collect waste affects what we can ultimately do with it. In many fast-growing cities, mixed waste collection remains the norm due to economic, logistical, and technological hurdles. Separating and recycling this mixed waste presents further challenges, with economic, technical, and environmental factors all at play. Following the waste hierarchy, anything remaining, the non-recyclable waste, should be recovered for materials or energy whenever possible. Finally, if nothing else can be done, safe and environmentally responsible long-term storage becomes the last option. Currently, not all our waste can be (economically and technically feasibly) reused or recycled, until that time, WtE plays a crucial role in our society by: - Diverting waste from landfills, reducing the strain on limited land space and potential environmental hazards. - Providing a safe disposal solution for residual waste, destroying harmful materials and minimizing the risk of contamination. - Preventing harmful waste from polluting the environment, keeping our soil and water clean. - Recovering resources from otherwise worthless waste, extracting energy and materials that would otherwise be lost. - Generating energy to support societal development, contributing to a more sustainable energy future. Amsterdam has over 100 years of experience with WtE. Many of the challenges our city faced back then are still prevalent in other parts of the world, like waste dumping and emissions from uncontrolled incineration. It is our mission as Harvest Waste  to share these experiences and  learnings, implement High Efficiency WtE to contribute to a cleaner environment, reduce GHG emissions from waste, and divert waste away from dumps and landfills where it is needed most. #harvestwaste #uttamenergy #wastetoenergy #sustainability #cleanenergy #circulareconomy

Exciting news for Lagos State! Harvest Waste has just formalized a groundbreaking partnership with Lagos State Government, paving the way for constructing a high-efficiency Waste-to-Energy plant on Epe landfill. Anticipated to produce a substantial 60 to 75 megawatts of baseload electricity, this cutting-edge facility will bolster energy security and liberate around 40,000 households from the national electricity grid. Additionally, With a capacity to process 2,250 tonnes of waste daily and an operational lifespan of over 25 years, the plant is poised to divert this untreated waste from landfill sites, minimizing the environmental footprint of waste disposal methods. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, both emphasized the importance of this partnership, highlighting its potential to revolutionize waste management and energy production in the state. Ms. Leonie Van der Stijl, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Lagos, reaffirmed the Dutch government's dedication to the success of the agreement, underscoring Lagos as the Dutch waste management's inaugural partner. This partnership represents a monumental leap forward in Lagos' waste management strategy. It is a testament to the power of innovation and international collaboration in building a sustainable and resilient city. Stay tuned for more updates on this transformative project! Bolaji Ogundare F. CIoD Paul ter Veen #harvestwaste #wastetoenergy #sustainability #cleanenergy #circulareconomy #MethaneReduction

We are very excited to share with you that a delegation from PLN Indonesia Power visited our reference plant in Amsterdam yesterday to learn more about our high-efficiency technology. Together, we discussed how WtE can contribute to the renewable energy goals for Indonesia   The Indonesian government is working hard towards diverting 80% of municipal solid waste from its landfills, this presents immense potential for our waste-to-energy (WtE) projects.   We are very much looking forward to further collaboration with PLN, leveraging our expertise to transform waste into clean energy. #harvestwaste #wastetoenergy #sustainability #cleanenergy #circulareconomy

🌳 In the last couple of posts we discussed the harmful methane emissions from all over the world. But what about the Netherlands? Historical evidence from the Netherlands demonstrates that reducing landfill usage can lead to a substantial drop in methane emissions. After our country implemented a landfill ban in the early ‘90s, industries innovated to find alternative methods for waste management. From 1990 to 2017, these efforts led to a marked decrease in methane emissions. The downward trend was largely driven by steep landfill taxes and restrictions on burying recyclable or energy-recoverable materials. Consequently, there was a noticeable pivot towards recycling and the adoption of Waste-to-Energy (WtE) facilities, which generate energy from the remnants of pre-treated waste. The transformation of old landfills into public spaces such as parks and golf courses also involved the installation of systems to capture landfill gas. In 2019, the Netherlands recycled 54% of household waste, landfilled a mere 0.2%, and converted the remaining 45.8% into energy. The Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics reports that the country’s recycling rate for all types of waste is now at an impressive 80%. Read more about the methane issue and how Waste to Energy can reduce it on our website. https://lnkd.in/esWpKaTy #harvestwaste #uttamenergy #wastetoenergy #sustainability #cleanenergy #circulareconomy

Raising awareness about methane emissions has never been so important. Methane emissions from waste contribute ~13% to all global methane emissions therefore making a huge impact on global warming.  Based on new observations and data, scientists are now closely tracking methane releases from landfills globally. To understand the scale of impact:  India - Since 2020, Delhi alone has witnessed more than 124 major methane-release incidents from its city landfills. The severe one happening in April 2022 with 434 tonnes released per hour.  Argentina - Since 2019, Buenos Aires experienced more than 100 significant emission events, with the most severe one happening in August 2020 releasing 230 tonnes per hour.  Although this might seem like a problem in lesser developed countries, events like these can be found all over the world. Even in countries around us where more sanitary landfill practices are applied, methane emissions from landfills are prevalent. In Madrid, Spain, 17 leaks were detected since 2021, including 4 leaks in the early months of 2023 alone. Also in the USA, landfills are leaking methane. Researchers found evidence of methane leaks at 52% of all USA's landfills. The study also found landfill methane emissions were generally much more persistent than those from oil and gas production, with 60% lasting for multiple months or even years. This evidence calls for urgent action to reduce landfilling of an evergrowing waste volume. Join us, to learn how Energy from Waste can contribute to reducing methane emissions! Source: https://lnkd.in/gef7maJA #harvestwaste #uttamenergy #wastetoenergy #sustainability #cleanenergy #circulareconomy