SWANA Atlantic Conference Final Presentation 27 april 2016

Plasma Gasification – A WTE
Environmental Alternative to
Landfill and a NOW Opportunity
for NS
Presented by: Fourth State Energy
Date: 27-29 April 2016
Nova Waste Solutions Inc.

Kentville C&D
Landfill Fire
Slide 4

World’s largest landfill site in
Mumbai, India.
NASA’s view from space of landfill fire in January 2016
2016
Slide 5

Frequency of Landfill Fires
• “Landfill fires occur frequently. In the USA there
are around 8300 fires per year, and in the UK
around 300. With the potential for serious loss of
life and dire environmental consequences,…”
Patrick Foss-Smith, 01.08.2010, https://waste-management-
world.com/a/understanding-landfill-fires
• Recent landfill fires in NS & Canada:
– Kentville, Otter Lake, Colchester, Chester,
Fredericton, Duncan BC, Delta Vancouver, Medicine
Hat, Katepwa Regina, Kindersley Sask. etc….
Slide 6 Nova Waste Solutions Inc.

Landfill Fires & SWM Regulations
• “In attempting to reduce the volume of solid waste
going into municipal landfills, many jurisdictions
require that construction and demolition waste be
separated from the municipal solid waste stream and
be landfilled separately. What these policies did not
anticipate, however, was the resulting increase in the
number of landfill fires. In fact, 90 per cent of landfill
fires occur in demolition, landfill and construction
(DLC) waste sites.”
Tonia Jurbin, P.Eng, August 1, 2003
http://www.canadianconsultingengineer.com/features/landfill-fires/
Slide 7

Statistical Risk of a Landfill Fire 60%
• “With the average landfill site having a 60%
statistical risk of fire each year, it's critical
that operators have an emergency plan in
place. Immediate and decisive action can be
the difference between a minor incident and
a multi-million dollar environmental
disaster.”
Patrick Foss-Smith, 14.08.2013,https://waste-management-
world.com/a/cutting-the-risk-of-landfill-fires
Slide 8

Global Cost of Waste
• World Bank projects 70% global increase in
urban solid waste – with developing countries
facing the greatest challenge.
• Projected 1.3 billion T/yr. to 2.2 billion T/yr. by
2025
• Projected cost $205 billion to $375 billion.
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2012/06/06/repor
t-shows-alarming-rise-in-amount-costs-of-garbage
Slide Nova Waste Solutions Inc.

Landfill Methane GHG
Nova Waste Solutions Inc.Slide 10

Climate Impact of Landfills
• Methane is 21 times more potent than carbon
dioxide in terms of its global warming potential.
• Emissions from Canadian landfills account for 20%
of national methane emissions.
• Estimates have shown that approximately 27 Mega-
tonnes (Mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (eCO2)
are generated annually from Canadian landfills, of
which 20 Mt eCO2 are being emitted annually.
Environment Canada - http://www.ec.gc.ca/gdd-mw

NS Aligned with National Emissions
Waste represents
3-4% equivalent
CO2 but its
methane, the
most harmful
GHG!

Global Waste Reality
• 70% of MSW goes to landfills to decay into
leachate and GHGs.
• 2.1 billion tonnes of MSW = ~24.5
quadrillion Btu of heat/energy (10% global
energy
http://www.thinkglobalgreen.org/wte.html

Where are we headed?
"Ten years from now the world’s rapidly
increasing urban population will generate
nearly 3 billion tons of MSW per year,
representing an estimated 240GW of
untapped energy potential."
Senior Research Analyst Mackinnon Lawrence.

Not all WTE systems are created equal!
Facts About Plasma Gasification
WTE – The Landfill Alternative

Incineration Plants

Incineration = Landfill Dependency
30% of
original
weight by
volume
toxic fly-ash
and bottom-
ash needs
to go to
Hazardous
Waste
Landfills
Slide 17

Plasma Gasification Plants

Plasma Gasification
Reduced or Eliminated Landfill Dependency!
Waste
resources
processed,
recyclables
removed,
remaining
resources
shredded,
dried and
sent to
gasifier.
There is a small quantity of bottom
slag (glass and metal) which is
recyclable and useable as a civil
construction aggregate.
Slide

Established, Proven, Growing
 The Gasification Industry:
272 operating gasification plants worldwide with 686
gasifiers.
74 plants under construction worldwide that will have a
total of 238 gasifiers and produce 83 MWth.
33 gasification plants in the US {13 processing MSW}
China has the largest number of gasification plants.
{WWW, Gasification Technologies Council, The Gasification Industry, http://www.gasification.org/what-is-
gasification/the-gasification-industry/, 1 MARCH, 2015.}
Nova Waste Solutions Inc.Slide

Gasification and Plasma Gasification
Plants in NA
http://www.gasification.org/what-is-gasification/map-of-facilities/
Slide

Plasma Gasification Opportunity
According to the Georgia Institute of
Technology:
“Plasma gasification can create more
renewable energy than the projected energy
from solar, wind, landfill gas, and geothermal
energies combined.”
WWW; Plasma Gasification Turns Waste-to-Energy; (ENERGYdigital); Green Tech -
Jun 30, 2011; http://www.energydigital.com/greentech/1798/Plasma-Gasification-
Turns-WastetoEnergy; 1 March, 2015.

Nova Scotia MSW Reality
No WTE Policy

National Per Capita Cost Comparison
Stats Canada 2013
Slide 24

NS Regulated MSW Report Card
• 1990s regulatory changes transformed SWM in NS with the
objective of reducing environmental impacts of landfills.
• 20 years later:
– $387.00 - Highest average per tonne operating cost in the
country (Stats Canada)
– $82.39 - Highest per capita cost in Canada (Avg. $58.18)
– $11.22 - Highest per capita cost for organics (5X Avg. of
$2.18)
– 55-60% diversion - ongoing landfill dependency & legacy
environmental impacts of methane GHG and leachate
– Escalating unsustainable municipal service program costs

What drives the costs?
• Regulated program policy of “banning
materials from landfill” created materials
management requirements without
established market demand
• Absence of market demand did not support
private investment in processing facilities
resulting in public sector assuming
responsibility for banned materials from both
public and private/commercial sectors

SWM Jobs in NS
Most costly system
components {organics,
C&D, landfills} employ
least number of people.
New WTE processing
facilities would offset
the transfer of some
jobs.
Slide 27

A Case for Change – A NS NOW
Opportunity
The MSW system transformation opportunity:
• Advanced WTE is widely recognized as separate and
distinct from incineration.
• Advanced WTE is widely recognized as a environmental
solution and a positive alternative to landfill and
incineration.
• Advanced WTE enables envisioned stewardship and
reduced or eliminated landfill dependency.

Environmental Benefits for NS
• Reduction/elimination of landfill dependency
• Immediate impact on reducing methane GHG/Carbon emissions
• Immediate impact on legacy landfill environmental issues
• Reduce transportation/hauling emissions
• Safe, clean processing of special and hazardous waste such as
asbestos and contaminated sludge {Boat Harbour}
• Reduce health authority waste system costs by processing special
waste travelling out of Province for incineration

Economic Benefits for NS
• Reduce Municipal/Business SWM Service Program Costs by:
– Consolidating 3, 4 or 5 waste streams to 2 or 3 (blue
recycling & green re-use for clean renewable energy and
leaf and yard waste)
– Streamline collection systems using split trucks significantly
reducing program costs & emissions
– Eliminate costly processing of materials with no market
value
– Reduce business costs with fewer receptacles, less
infrastructure, space and mess!
– Make the system easier & less costly for residents and
businesses

Unsustainable Cost/Tonne Created by
Regulatory Policy
• October, 2015, The Minister of Environment outlined a
new perspective on Advanced Waste Conversion
technology systems. They are to be:
– regulated separate and distinct from incineration &
landfill
– subject to an Environmental Assessment level one
review for WTE industrial permit
• However, system cost sustainability hinges on NOT
imposing proposed program policy of banned from landfill
means banned from Advanced Waste Conversion WTE!

Where is the concern for WTE?
• Public would see it as a negative?
– 2013 Survey data > 80% support WTE as a landfill
alternative (August,2013 by CRA, 526 metro residents
over 18 were polled )
• Not environmental stewardship?
– Empirical data shows improved environmental
outcomes, climate impact and recycling
• Does not respect hierarchy of resource management
– Zero waste is (re) using resources completely
without creating a negative. Waste in NS still ends
up in landfills, isn’t WTE a better option?

Positive Change Needs to Happen NOW
• Political leadership is:
– Challenging industry to invest in innovative
technologies
– Looking for new industries to build and grow the
economy in rural communities
– Seeking ways to reduce service program costs
– Seeking ways to improve the sustainability of Nova
Scotia’s way of life
• Advanced Waste Conversion technology WTE
addresses all of these objectives!
Slide 33

Premier’s State of the Province Address
• … admitted to some frustration with Nova
Scotians who don’t seem able to accept
change.
• “People say ‘we don’t like the status quo’,
but they don’t want change,” he said.
• “Change is happening, and it impacts each
of us differently — some good, some not.
But the status quo is not an option for this
province.”
Slide 34

Lets get the conversation started
about an alternative to landfill
and advancing MSW change!
Questions?

SWANA Atlantic Conference Final Presentation 27 april 2016

SWANA Atlantic Conference Final Presentation 27 april 2016

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