What is the goal of waste-to-energy programs?

The primary goal of waste-to-energy programs is to convert waste into usable energy through methods such as combustion, gasification, or anaerobic digestion. These processes not only help in generating energy, which can be utilized for electricity or heat, but they also contribute to reducing reliance on fossil fuels. By transforming discarded materials into energy, waste-to-energy initiatives address both energy needs and waste management challenges.

While reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills is an important aspect of these programs, it is considered a secondary benefit rather than the main goal. The recycling of waste products into consumer goods and the storage of waste underground relate to different waste management strategies that do not pertain directly to the objective of waste-to-energy programs.