Waste plastic is an energy-rich source of fuel for energy recovery projects. A pound of polyethylene contains over 18,000 BTUs compared to 4,500 to 5,000 BTUs for a pound of municipal solid waste. In an integrated approach to waste management, the best waste management alternative is chosen for each waste material stream based on an environmental and cost assessment process. The Environmental Life-Cycle Analysis computer model, developed by EPIC and Corporations Supporting Recycling, will be used to help municipalities evaluate the environmental burdens and economic impacts of their various waste management options. The Strategy is supporting energy recovery options that can divert unrecycled or unrecyclable waste plastics from landfill in an environmentally sound manner.
Plastic still contains most of the energy in the natural gas from which it was manufactured.
Recovering the waste energy from this material reduces the consumption of new energy sources. A multi-stakeholder Task Force formed in late 1997 is in the process of implementing the Strategy. Strategy implementation is ultimately a municipal decision. Other members of the Strategy implementation Task Force include, the plastics industry, environmental, research and industry groups, the Recycling Council of Alberta, as well as the Provincial government through Action on Waste. Strategy Implementation is estimated to be a three-year process, which began in late 1997.