Wealth from Waste: Trade and Technologies

Waste is often described as an unavoidable by-product of growth and development. With the rapid urbanization and industrialization there is a proportionate increase in the contaminated wastelands, water systems, and landfills. The natural waste minimization processes cannot cope with the quantum of waste generated and at times create additional problems, impacting the environment severely. The methanogenic process, for example, operating in most of our over spilling landfills contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

These issues thus necessitate an urgent need for waste valorization, rather focusing on mitigation through disposal. Converting the waste streams of industrial by-products into value added products will not only generate revenue but also bring in new feedstock options to industrial firms. More over with world’s energy supply currently dependent mainly on fossil based fuels, the waste streams through technological interventions can serve as a resource of energy in the future.

This edition of Wealth from Waste takes a closer look at the different avenues that consider waste as a resource for recycling and valorization rather than contemplating disposal. The book provides insight to the possible technological innovations and options that can be adopted, along with the current trends and opportunities that available worldwide for converting wastes into a value added resource. In the individual chapters, authors have discussed and reviewed the possible options for conversion of various waste streams generated from municipalities and other urban establishments, bio mass based wasted generated from argo-based industries and different industrial activities into an energy resource. The book also looks into the regulatory framework available in the country that is required at every stage of the life cycle of wastes for protection of the environment.

This edition is an important reference for a wide range of stakeholders, from policy-makers to environmentalists, development practitioners, academicians, waste management experts, researchers, students and corporate decision-makers.