SWANA Atlantic Conference Final Presentation 27 april 2016

Nova Waste Solutions Inc.

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 Scotia Landfills

Slide 3

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.

https://waste-management-world.com/a/understanding-landfill-fires

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/


http://www.canadianconsultingengineer.com/features/landfill-fires/



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


https://waste-management-world.com/a/cutting-the-risk-of-landfill-fires



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/report-shows-alarming-rise-in-amount-costs-of-garbage

Slide 9






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

Slide 16


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 19

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.}


http://www.gasification.org/what-is-gasification/the-gasification-industry/

Gasification and Plasma Gasification Plants in NA


http://www.gasification.org/what-is-gasification/map-of-facilities/

Slide 21




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.

Slide 22


http://www.energydigital.com/greentech

http://www.energydigital.com/greentech/1798/Plasma-Gasification-Turns-WastetoEnergy

Nova Scotia MSW Reality

No WTE Policy


National Per Capita Cost Comparison

Nova Waste Solutions Inc.Stats Canada 2013Slide 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.

Nova Waste Solutions Inc.Slide

28

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! Nova Waste Solutions

Inc.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.”


Lets get the conversation started about an alternative

to landfill and advancing MSW change!

Questions?Nova Waste Solutions Inc.

Documents

SWANA Atlantic Conference Final Presentation 27 april 2016