The feasibility of municipal solid waste for energy generation and its existing management practices in Pakistan

Energy crisis and growing amount of solid waste at alarming rate have remained a challenge for every governing body of Pakistan. This study has been performed in order to evaluate the feasibility of municipal solid waste for energy generation and to assess its existing management practices. The study finds that solid waste is not properly managed in Pakistan. Throughout the country, it has been observed that the generated waste is directly either dumped in low lying areas or burned in open environment without any engineered way of disposal. On the other hand, the solid waste generated in Pakistan has significant potential to produce energy by bio-chemical and thermo-chemical process upto 50.35 million m(3)/year and 265 million m(3)/year respectively. The contribution of energy from solid waste has been estimated that is 0.07% through bio-chemical and 0.34% through thermo-chemical in the total primary energy supply of the country. Moreover, results of study revealed that about 70% of imported energy can be reduced by bio-chemical and completely can be replaced by thermo-chemical process of solid waste. Not only this but also burden on energy from other primary sources of the country would be reduced upto 1.86% cumulatively by adopting thermo-chemical process of waste. The study concludes that lack of pre-planning, infrastructure, public awareness and many other factors have become root factors for worsening municipal solid waste in Pakistan. Solid waste is capable to yield energy in the country, if it is treated either by bio-chemical or thermo-chemical process. The findings of study lead to recommend that waste to energy concept should be promoted in the country for sustainable environment and economic growth.