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Evaluation of Technologies

• Technology categories considered and possible outputs/products: Seven potential mixed waste diversion technology categories were considered and evaluated as potential options to process mixed waste.

• Technology Screening Criteria: Screening criteria were established to evaluate the waste processing technologies. These are exclusionary criteria that, if not satisfied, eliminated that technology from further evaluation

• Technology Screening Summary Chart (PDF): The chart provides a summary of which technologies met or didn’t meet the screening criteria.

• Recommended Technology: The recommended technology category is Mechanical Biological Treatment with Aerobic Composting or Anaerobic Digestion

• Facility Examples: A number of similar facilities, using the recommended technology, operate in North America.

Technology categories considered and possible outputs/products
Seven mixed waste diversion technology categories, that could potentially provide an estimated 75,000 tonnes per year of diversion, were considered and evaluated as potential options to process Toronto’s residual waste:

1. Mechanical Separation for Material Recovery;
2. Mechanical Biological Treatment (“MBT”) with Compost-Like Output (“CLO”) diverted;
3. MBT with the CLO produced going to landfill;
4. MBT with CLO diverted and Refuse Derived Fuel (“RDF”) production;
5. Mechanical Separation with RDF Production;
6. Thermal Treatment with Energy Production; and
7. Steam Classification Process.

Possible outputs/products from technologies
These mixed waste treatment technology categories can be configured in a variety of ways to produce a range of outputs/products. These technologies will reduce the mixed waste by producing one or a combination of outputs/products (PDF).

Technology Screening Criteria
Screening criteria were established to evaluate the waste processing technologies. These are exclusionary criteria that, if not satisfied, eliminated that technology from further evaluation. The criteria that were established to evaluate technologies are as follows:

• Ability to divert 75,000 tonnes per year from landfill;
• Ability to conform to MOE Policy Statement and to qualify as diversion; Waste Value Chain Chart (PDF);
• Ability to market recovered materials;
• Ability for markets to meet Ontario environmental standards;
• Ability to dispose of the residual material in the Green Lane Landfill in accordance with its Certificate of Approvals;
• Technology to have a proven operating history; and
• Ability to have facility under construction by 2010.

Operating Facility Examples

• Bedminster - Ireland Aerobic processing/MBT technology. Provider for Compost Facility, Edmonton (Alberta)

The following sites have anaerobic digestion (AD) processing examples:

• Organic Waste Systems - Belgium
• ROS ROCA - Numerous European site examples
• STRABAG - Austria
• Valorga - France
• Edmonton Integrated Waste Management Facility (City of Toronto's Site Tour)