Waste to Energy Technology Management, the most sustainable and efficient Waste Management approach in the Sub-Saharan Africa: Case Study of Cosmopolitan Regions

Abstract

: The clarion call for Waste to Energy Technology is gaining momentum in Sub-Saharan Africa as it is gradually becoming the surest bet for clean energy and wealth creation. According to the Zoomlion Alliance Africa (2017 Index Report) close to 900,000MT of both Solid and Liquid wastes are generated per each Cosmopolitan region half yearly. These wastes are left to the dictates of nature which add up to the ongoing climatic changes in the form of rise in sea levels as 70% of these waste materials find their route into sea bodies. Waste (also known as rubbish, refuse, garbage) is unwanted or useless materials. Solid wastes are from municipal, industrial, and agricultural activities. However, any refuse or waste can be an economic resource to others depending on the application of the rightful technologies with Waste to Energy Technology (WTE) as the most tried and tested in the Asian Regions. Waste is just value that we are too stupid not to use (Albert Einstein). Solid waste (SW) is an environmental and public health problem. There is a sustainable management method for Solid Waste. Uncontrolled landfill gases have negative health impacts on the local populace. Sorting Solid Waste increases its ability to be repurposed. Solid Waste is a cost-effective renewable energy source. Examples of Solid Waste includes Wood residuals from lumber mills (off-cuts, sawdust), Expired trees, Agricultural waste and Sorted municipal wastes (plastic, paper). Project assumptions of setting up a successful Waste to Energy Technology is estimated at an Installed capacity cost of: $4,500,000 Includes equipment, shipping, customs and installation, Annual Operations and Administrative cost of $250,000. The Project useful lifetime is 20 years, Electricity generation: 7,560 MWh, Price of 1kWh to national grid = USD 0.15 and the Cost of acquiring 1kWh worth of waste = USD 0.01. These facts make Waste to Energy Technologies not only reliable but cost effective and efficient.