Revista Científica Interdisciplinaria Investigación y Saberes

2024, Vol. 14, No. 3 e-ISSN: 1390-8146

Published by: Universidad Técnica Luis Vargas Torres

How to cite this article (APA):

Pazmiño-Cujili, C., Cartagena, M., Rivera, R. (2024) Clean energy

generation through controlled incineration WTE in Ecuador, Revista Científica Interdisciplinaria

Investigación y Saberes, 14(3) 25-44

Clean energy generation through controlled incineration WTE in

Ecuador

Generación de energía limpia por medio de la incineración controlada WTE en

Ecuador

Carlos Fernando Pazmiño-Cujili

Msc. Instituto Superior Tecnológico Simón Bolívar, carlos.pazmino@istsb.edu.ec

https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0074-3324

Mariuxi Virginia Cartagena Muñoz

Msc. Instituto Superior Tecnológico Simón Bolívar, mariuxi.cartagena@istsb.edu.ec

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3479-9458

Ruth Verónica Rivera España

Msc. Instituto Superior Tecnológico Simón Bolívar, ruth.rivera@istsb.edu.ec

https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4554-358X

The last few decades have seen a significant increase in the global

problem of solid waste management, with annual production

exceeding 2 million tons. The situation of having 2010 million tons

poses not only environmental, but also social and economic

challenges. This is because, if waste is not properly managed, it can

contaminate soil, water and air, which has a negative impact on public

health and biodiversity. In Latin America, significant challenges are

still faced in waste management, as many countries struggle to

implement efficient and sustainable systems. Despite the efforts

made by some countries to improve this situation through the

development of recycling policies and adoption.

Keywords:

Waste-to-Energy (WTE), Solid Waste Management,

Circular Economy, Carbon Neutral, Recycling Culture

Abstract

Received 2024-03-12

Revised 2024-06-22

Published 2024-08-01

Corresponding Author

Carlos Fernando Pazmiño-Cujili.

carlos.pazmino@istsb.edu.ec

Pages: 25-44

https://creativecommons.org/lice

nses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Distributed under

Clean energy generation through controlled incineration WTE in Ecuador

Revista Científica Interdisciplinaria Investigación y Saberes , / 2024/ , Vol. 14, No. 3

Resumen

En las últimas décadas, se ha visto un aumento significativo en la

problemática global de la gestión de residuos sólidos, con una

producción anual que supera los 2 millones de toneladas. La situación

de tener 2010 millones de toneladas plantea desafíos no solo

ambientales, sino también sociales y económicos. Esto se debe a que,

si los residuos no son manejados adecuadamente, pueden

contaminar tanto el suelo como el agua y el aire, lo cual tiene un

impacto negativo en la salud pública y la biodiversidad. En América

Latina, aún se enfrentan importantes desafíos en la gestión de

residuos, ya que muchos países luchan por implementar sistemas

eficientes y sostenible. A pesar de los esfuerzos realizados por

algunos países para mejorar esta situación mediante el desarrollo de

políticas de reciclaje y la adopción.

Palabras clave:

Waste-to-Energy (WTE), Gestión de residuos sólidos,

Economía circular, Carbono neutro, Cultura de reciclaje

Introduction

In recent decades, solid waste management has become an issue of

increasing concern worldwide. Every year, more than 2 million tons of

waste are produced. Improper waste management not only involves

environmental, but also social and economic challenges, as it can

result in soil, water and air pollution. This causes damage to public

health and the environment. In addition, waste that accumulates in

landfills plays an important role in the generation of methane, a much

more potent greenhouse gas compared to carbon dioxide. The need

for innovative and sustainable solutions in waste management has

been emphasized by the United Nations as an integral part of the

Sustainable Development Goals, pointing out its urgency.

By 2050, global waste generation is estimated to increase by 70%

over current levels, according to the World Bank report titled "What

a Waste 2. 0: "Waste on the 2050 horizon: A global look at solid waste

management?" (World Bank Group, 2018). The cause of this increase

is accelerated urbanization and growing populations.

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In 2016, 2,010 million tons of waste were recorded and it is expected

that by 2,050 this figure will increase to 3,400 million tons; effective

solid waste management is of vital importance, including aspects such

as costs, revenues, tariffs, regulations, public communication,

administrative and operational models, as well as the regulation of all

actors including the informal market. In this context, plastics are

particularly problematic, since, if not properly collected and

managed, they can contaminate watercourses and ecosystems for

hundreds or thousands of years; moreover, it is estimated that, in

2016, waste treatment and disposal generated an emission of 1.6

billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, which represents about 5 %

of global emissions.

It is pertinent to highlight that proper waste management is essential

to build a strong circular economy, where products are designed and

optimized to be reduced in consumption, reused and recycled; in

order to take urgent measures to address this global challenge and

ensure a sustainable waste management in the future. (AERESS, 2024)

In Ecuador in 2022, the estimated weighted generation of solid waste

at the national level was 82,654.31 m³ per day, of this total, 68.13%

originated in urban areas, while 31.87% came from rural areas.

(MAATE, 2023)On the other hand, the special category cantons

generated the largest volume of waste and solid waste, representing

46% of the national total, while the micro category cantons

contributed only 2%. The large and medium categories showed

relatively similar waste generation volumes, with 20% and 22%

respectively. (MAATE, 2023).

WTE Technology and its impact on the SDGs. Waste-to-Energy (WTE)

technology represents a novel and sustainable solution to efficiently

manage solid waste; this technology and integral process consists of

controlled incineration, which allows us to reduce the volume of waste

by up to 90% and at the same time generate electrical and thermal

energy, minimizing the amount of waste that reaches landfills and

ultimately reducing greenhouse gas emissions. (World Bank Group,

2018)

The implementation of this WTE technology tributes to several

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as: According to the

World Bank (2018), by addressing SDGs 7, 11, and 13, Waste-to-

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Energy not only addresses the waste problem, but also generates

notable benefits in terms of energy sustainability and climate change

reduction (World Bank Group, 2018).

WTE in Latin America, its Paradigms and Relevance. In the region

there is still a shortage of facilities to valorize Municipal Solid Waste

(MSW). In order to move towards the implementation of the circular

economy model, it will be essential to establish different facilities to

sort, recycle, compost and treat waste through anaerobic digestion

and thermal treatment with energy recovery (WTE), as well as to

recover construction and construction wastes, and to recover the

waste from the municipal solid wastes.

"In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the lack of comprehensive

plans hinders effective waste management, thus hindering progress

towards sustainable management. Unlike at the international level,

where the European Union has established concrete and binding

targets for reuse and recycling, in LAC there are no long-term national

plans." (IDB, 2023).

The problem through various factors in the region has led to a lack of

clear and measurable goals, which limits the implementation of

effective strategies and the measurement of progress; in Brazil,

however, significant progress has been made thanks to the

implementation of mandatory selective collection and the National

Solid Waste Policy. Brazil's national plan sets a target of 48.1%

recovery of municipal solid waste by the year 2040 (IDB, 2023)

In other countries such as Chile and Uruguay, although goals have

been established in strategic documents, they are not binding and

their impact is limited. Chile seeks to reduce waste generation by 25%

and achieve 65% recycling by 2040, while Uruguay aims to recover

85% of post-consumer packaging and decouple waste generation

from economic growth by 10%, both by 2032 (IDB, 2023). (IDB, 2023)

To move towards sustainable waste management in Latin America

and the Caribbean, it is crucial to implement long-term national plans

with clear and binding objectives. These plans should be aligned at

the subnational level and have the active participation of all

stakeholders. (IDB, 2023)..

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Political Will in Ecuador on the Availability of Landfill Waste.

According to current legislation, municipal and metropolitan

decentralized autonomous governments (GADM) are responsible for

the integrated management of solid waste. MAATE, in its role as lead

agency, is responsible for issuing policies, national plans, and

technical guidelines to ensure compliance with its responsibilities by

the GADMs and other actors.

In order to design and implement waste management projects based

on historical waste, it is essential to know the daily amount generated

by each city and the characteristics of this waste. In this context, the

project "Solid waste management and inclusive circular economy

(GRECI)" of MAATE will develop in a participatory manner the

National Plan for the integrated management of non-hazardous solid

waste. This plan will be the basis for the creation of policies,

strategies, plans, programs and projects at the national level.

MAATE presents the results of the analysis of data on the generation

and characteristics of non-hazardous solid waste at different levels

(local, provincial, regional and national). These results include

information on per capita production, volume, density and physical

composition of waste, and will serve to establish the priority lines of

action in the structuring of the National Plan for the integrated

management of solid waste in Ecuador (MAATE, 2023). (MAATE,

2023)

In the Organic Law Reforming the Organic Environmental Code

(CODA) and the Organic Code of Territorial Organization, Autonomy

and Decentralization (COOTAD), published in Official Gazette No.

602 on December 21, 2021, Article 30 establishes regulations for the

conservation and remediation of natural resources, as well as the

regulation and promotion of animal welfare and protection. It also

includes provisions for the management of non-hazardous solid waste

and the participation of decentralized autonomous governments in

the planning and execution of environmental works. (Ecuador, 2021)

How many kilos does each person produce per day in Ecuador? The

Ministry of Environment of Ecuador reports that the annual amount of

solid waste generated in 2022 was 5,103,087.59 tons with a

population of 17,989,912.00; this gives us a national weighted

average of 0.777 kilos per day per inhabitant; while for cities

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considered "special" as Quito and Guayaquil, receiving this category

for its population density greater than 1,000,000,000,000.00 is 0.847

kilos per inhabitant per day. This causes an important focalized

contamination of soil, water and air, as well as a significant risk to

public health in these 2 main cities, whose particularity is due to the

increase in population income and consumption habits. (MAATE,

2023).

As we can analyze in Ecuador, waste management has been a

growing concern, especially in urban areas where waste generation is

higher; despite government efforts to promote recycling practices

and reduce the amount of waste reaching landfills, results have been

limited. Until 2024, the country has implemented several strategies,

including the promotion of the circular economy and the adoption of

clean technologies for waste treatment; however, controlled

incineration with energy recovery, also known as Waste-to-Energy

(WTE), has not yet been exploited to its full potential.

Advantages of Implementing WTE Technology in Ecuador: The use

of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) technology and the influx of foreign

investment offer numerous benefits in terms of solid waste

management and the promotion of sustainable development. WTE

technology, by converting solid waste into useful energy, has been

recognized as a fundamental tool to address global environmental

and energy challenges. Therefore, it is essential to analyze and

understand the specific advantages that this technology can provide

at the national and international level in terms of both environmental

and socioeconomic benefits. Finally, this study will focus on

highlighting the benefits of adopting WTE technology both in

Ecuador and in other countries, in order to provide a complete picture

of its potential advantages and uses.

Waste Reduction in Landfills: WTE technology can significantly reduce

the volume of waste deposited in landfills, thus reducing the pressure

on these sites and prolonging their useful life; this is especially

relevant in a country like Ecuador, where solid waste management is

a growing challenge due to urbanization and increasing consumption

levels (Legal Bulletin -) (National Assembly of Ecuador). (Ecuador,

2021)

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Clean Energy Generation: The conversion of waste into energy allows

the production of electricity and heat from materials that would

otherwise be considered waste. This contributes to diversifying the

country's energy matrix and reducing dependence on fossil energy

sources, in line with sustainability and carbon footprint reduction

goals. (Ecuador, 2021)

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction: By incinerating waste in a

controlled manner, gas emissions can be captured and treated,

minimizing the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas

generated in traditional landfills. This can contribute significantly to

Ecuador's commitments in terms of climate change mitigation.

(Ecuador, 2021)

Economic Growth and Job Creation: The construction and operation

of WTE plants can generate both direct and indirect employment,

from construction to facility management and maintenance. In

addition, it can foster the development of a circular economy,

encouraging new forms of recycling and reuse of materials. (Ecuador,

2021)

Technology and Knowledge Transfer: Collaborating with countries

such as China and Denmark, which has experience and advanced

technology in the WTE sector, can facilitate the transfer of know-how

and best practices. This not only raises Ecuador's technological

standards, but also improves local capacities for waste management

and energy generation. (Ecuador, 2021)

Improved Quality of Life and Public Health: By reducing waste

accumulation and pollutant emissions, air quality is improved and the

risks of diseases related to poor waste management are minimized.

This is crucial for public health, especially in densely populated urban

areas.

The implementation of WTE technology in Ecuador is highly relevant,

as it not only addresses the urgent need to improve waste

management, but also offers multiple environmental, economic and

social benefits. With the support of foreign investors and the adoption

of advanced technologies, Ecuador can move towards a more

sustainable and cleaner future.

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Report to NASA. In October 2023, the Instituto Superior Tecnológico

Simón Bolívar was invited to the student event "Present your

challenge", whose central theme was the generation of clean energy

through the controlled incineration of garbage, known as Waste to

Energy (WTE), in Ecuador and Latin America. This project earned the

Institute the award for Best Local Impact Project. (ISTSB_TMI, 2023)

Project Description. The research project was developed through an

exhaustive bibliographic search on waste management at a global

level, with a particular focus on Ecuador and Latin America. The

research highlighted the importance of the impact of solid waste on

the environment, including air, soil and water pollution, and

concluded with the proposal of WTE technology as a viable solution

to mitigate these problems, thus presenting the following key

findings:

Waste Impact: Waste accumulation is a critical problem that seriously

affects the environment and public health. The research highlighted

that, without proper management, waste can lead to significant

contamination of air, soil and water, affecting biodiversity and

ecosystems. (Ecuador, 2021)

WTE technology: Controlled incineration of solid waste for energy

generation is presented as an effective alternative to reduce waste

volume and generate clean energy. This technology not only helps to

manage waste more efficiently, but also contributes to the reduction

of greenhouse gas emissions and the generation of electricity from

non-fossil fuel sources. (Ecuador, 2021)

Application in Ecuador and Latin America: The adoption of WTE

technologies in Ecuador and Latin America can be particularly

beneficial due to the growing waste management challenges in the

region. The implementation of these technologies can significantly

improve waste management and environmental sustainability, as well

as generate employment and foster local economic development.

(ISTSB_TMI, 2023)

The Instituto Superior Tecnológico Simón Bolívar project not only

addresses a critical waste management problem, but also offers an

innovative and sustainable solution. By integrating WTE technology

into waste management strategies, Ecuador and Latin America can

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move towards a cleaner and more sustainable future, reducing

pollution and harnessing waste as a valuable energy source.

The research underscores the need to continuously and systematically

address waste issues in order to protect the environment and improve

the quality of life of the inhabitants.

Methodology

The research was conducted using two main methodological

approaches: descriptive research and field research.

Field research. According to the research conducted by Jiménez and

Suárez (2021), it focuses on obtaining precise information about the

object or phenomenon of study in a specific context, without making

changes or altering existing conditions. Through this approach, it is

possible to obtain a detailed and accurate perspective of reality,

based on direct observations and data collection in situ.

Descriptive Research. On the other hand, descriptive research focuses

on describing the fundamental characteristics of homogeneous sets

of phenomena. According to Guevara, Verdesoto and Castro (2020),

this type of research uses systematic criteria to establish the structure

or behavior of the phenomena studied, providing systematic

information that is comparable with other sources. This approach is

useful for delineating the characteristics of a segment of people and

describing the most important attributes of the group to be studied,

as well as estimating the percentage of units that represent certain

behaviors in a specific population.

Justification of Methods. These methods were selected to achieve the

research objectives, which encompassed both identifying the

characteristics of a specific segment of the population and describing

the most relevant attributes of the group. The union of the two

approaches allowed us to obtain a complete and thorough view of

the research problem, guaranteeing the validity and comparability of

the data collected.

The use of descriptive and field research allowed not only to collect

accurate data on the current situation of waste generation and waste

management in Ecuador and Latin America, but also to provide a solid

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basis for comparisons with similar studies in other regions. These

methodological approaches are essential to develop effective

strategies for the implementation of Waste-to-Energy (WTE)

technologies in the local context.

Results

Research conducted by the Instituto Superior Tecnológico Simón

Bolívar on the generation of clean energy through controlled waste

incineration (Waste-to-Energy, WTE) in Ecuador and Latin America

produced several important results.

Classification of cantons in Ecuador. In order to effectively evaluate

the management of solid waste by the Municipal Decentralized

Autonomous Governments (GADM) in their respective areas, the

GRECI Project has created a document called "Methodology for

selecting cantons in Ecuador and compiling information on waste and

residues; in this report, a proposal for the classification of cantons is

presented, which arises from the analysis of different factors linked to

demographic, institutional, technical, legal, social and economic

aspects. The purpose of this proposal is to classify the cantons that

have similarities in their characteristics, showing the results in Table

N°1 and Figure N°2.

Solid Waste Generation In Ecuador: The report of the Ministry of

Environment, Water and Ecological Transition of Ecuador (2023)

indicates a remarkable growth in solid waste generation at the

national level during the last decades; Ecuador's environmental

management faces a significant challenge due to this upward trend.

It is imperative to implement effective strategies in order to diminish

this negative effect and progress towards a more sustainable waste

management. Taking into account the above ideas, it was determined

that the weighted average density at the national level is 180.85

kg/m3. These data are also used to estimate the amount of solid

waste generated, and the results are presented in Table N°2 (MAATE,

2023)

The weighted generation of solid waste in Ecuador in 2022 was

82,654.31 m3/day; this figure is distributed in 68.13% of the volume

generated in urban areas and 31.87% in rural areas. Below is an

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estimate of its composition according to the proposed categorization

of cantons, see Figure N°2.

Waste-to-Energy (WTE) or waste-to-energy technology is presented

as a viable and highly beneficial solution for solid waste management

in Ecuador and Latin America. The results of the research show that

its implementation offers significant advantages from several

perspectives:

Environmental Impact: Reduction of soil, water and air pollution: The

energetic valorization of waste avoids its disposal in landfills,

minimizing the leaching of pollutants and the proliferation of disease

vectors.

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions: By taking advantage of the

energy value of waste, dependence on fossil fuels is reduced,

contributing to climate change mitigation.

Technical and Economic Feasibility: It is crucial to highlight that the

successful introduction of waste-to-energy (WTE) technology requires

careful planning, appropriate technology selection, effective

emissions management and active community participation.

Experience from other countries shows that WTE technology can be

a viable, efficient and highly effective tool to manage solid waste and

eradicate it responsibly, contributing to environmental protection,

clean energy production and economic development. The

implementation of appropriate technology such as WTE are available

and have been successfully tested in several countries such as:

Denmark: Amager Bakke / Copenhill, A pioneer in WTE technology,

Denmark has one of the highest waste recycling and recovery rates in

the world, with more than 90% of its waste diverted from landfills.

WTE technology plays a crucial role in this success, with plants

generating around 30% of the country's electricity. (Babcock &

Wilcox, 2021)

Sweden: SYSAV (Sysav South Scania Waste), another leader in WTE,

Sweden has succeeded in reducing the amount of waste going to

landfill to less than 1%. WTE technology generates approximately

20% of the country's heat energy and contributes to the production

of electricity. (SYSAV, 2024)

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Germany: With a waste recycling and recovery rate of over 65%,

Germany has also successfully implemented WTE technology. WTE

plants generate about 10% of the country's electricity and contribute

to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. (ResearchGate, 2024)

United States: Although the recycling and waste recovery rate in the

United States is lower than in some European countries, WTE

technology has gained ground in recent years. There are more than

80 WTE plants in operation in the country, generating electricity and

reducing the amount of waste going to landfills. (Gran View Research,

2024)

Canada: It has also successfully implemented WTE technology, with

more than 30 plants in operation across the country. WTE plants

generate electricity and heat, contributing to the reduction of

greenhouse gas emissions and the country's energy security. (Mordor

Intelligence, 2024)

Japan: With a recycling rate of over 80%, it has also successfully

implemented WTE technology. WTE plants generate electricity and

contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. (Wtert

Japan, 2024)

Taiwan: With a waste recycling and recovery rate of over 50%, it has

also successfully implemented WTE technology. WTE plants generate

electricity and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas

emissions. Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second largest city, has faced

significant environmental challenges in recent decades, especially in

waste management due to the large amount of urban and industrial

waste generated daily. In this context, waste-to-energy (WTE) systems

present themselves as a beneficial solution.

These systems not only help generate electricity, reducing

dependence on imported fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions,

but also help address environmental problems. A recent study

assessed the current status of municipal solid waste (MSW) and WTE

plants in Kaohsiung using official data. The operating efficiencies of

the four WTE plants in Kaohsiung during the period from 2003 to

2018 were analyzed, revealing an efficiency pattern similar to a

"bathtub curve," with values ranging from 0.287 to 0.568 kW-h/kg. In

addition, the operational efficiency progress of WTE's Gangshan

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plant modernization project was examined, which showed a

significant increase from 0.506 kW-h/kg in 2016 to 0.587 kW-h/kg in

2018. Finally, recommendations were provided on technological

measures and regulatory incentives to improve the operational

efficiency of existing WTE plants (MDPI, 2019)

China: Everbright International Limited is one of the leading

companies generating clean energy through controlled waste

incineration in China; this company has been noted for its ability to

transform municipal solid waste into usable energy; with projects in

several Chinese cities, Everbright International is committed to

developing sustainable solutions and reducing reliance on landfill

sites. (Everbright Environment, 2024)

Dynagreen Environmental Protection Group Co., Ltd. specializes in

generating energy from solid waste through advanced Waste-to-

Energy (WTE) technologies; the company operates numerous plants

in China that process thousands of tons of waste daily, converting it

into electricity and heat; Dynagreen focuses on energy efficiency and

minimizing environmental impact.

Shanghai Environmental Group Co., Ltd. is another leader in the WTE

industry in China; with a strong presence in the domestic market, the

company has implemented controlled incineration technologies to

generate clean energy; its projects are designed to maximize energy

recovery and minimize pollutant emissions, supporting the country's

environmental goals (Shanghai Electric, 2013)

China Everbright Greentech Limited, a subsidiary of China Everbright

Group, focuses on renewable energy and environmental protection

projects; the company has developed multiple WTE facilities that help

manage municipal solid waste sustainably; Everbright Greentech

promotes the circular economy and energy efficiency, contributing to

the development of cleaner and healthier cities (China Everbright

Greentech Limited, 2024)

China leads the way in Waste-to-Energy (WTE) technology,

Clean energy generation through the controlled incineration of solid

waste, known as Waste-to-Energy (WTE), has gained popularity in

China due to its ability to simultaneously address waste management

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issues and energy demand. Companies such as China Everbright

International Limited and Dynagreen Environmental Protection Group

Co., Ltd. have led the way in implementing advanced WTE

technologies; these companies not only reduce the amount of waste

going to landfills, but also generate electricity and heat from waste

that would otherwise be discarded.

China Everbright International Limited, for example, operates

numerous WTE plants throughout the country, demonstrating the

viability and efficiency of this technology. The company focuses on

maximizing energy recovery from municipal solid waste and

minimizing pollutant gas emissions; with a strong commitment to

sustainability, Everbright International has set high standards for the

WTE industry in China and has contributed significantly to the

reduction of the country's carbon footprint (Everbright Environment,

2024)

On the other hand, Dynagreen Environmental Protection Group Co.,

Ltd. has been noted for its focus on energy efficiency and

environmental protection. Its WTE plants use advanced incineration

technologies to convert waste into clean energy; this conversion not

only helps reduce the amount of waste in landfills, but also provides

a renewable energy source; Dynagreen operates under strict

environmental standards, ensuring that its processes are sustainable

and beneficial to the environment.

Shanghai Environmental Group Co., Ltd. has also been a key player

in China's WTE industry, implementing projects that support national

sustainable development goals. The company is engaged in the

efficient management of municipal solid waste through controlled

incineration and energy recovery; its facilities are designed to operate

with high efficiency and low emissions, contributing to improved air

quality and reduced pollution (Shanghai Electric, 2013).

In addition, China Everbright Greentech Limited has expanded its

operations in the WTE sector, focusing on the integration of advanced

technological solutions for waste management and energy

generation; the company promotes circular economy practices, where

waste is viewed as valuable resources that can be reused and

converted into energy; this perspective not only helps to better

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manage waste, but also encourages a more sustainable and efficient

use of available resources (Everbright Environment, 2024).

Brazil: It has the largest WTE plant in Latin America, located in the city

of Manaus. The plant processes around 600 tons of waste per day,

generating electricity and reducing the amount of waste going to

landfills. The overview of waste-to-energy (WtE) technology in Brazil,

from initial barriers to current and future projects, points out that,

twenty years ago.

Brazil faced difficulties in implementing these technologies due to

lack of funds, coherent policies, and technical know-how, among

other factors; however, a gradual change is observed, with some

successful projects in operation, such as biogas plants in São Paulo

and Bahia. In addition, mention is made of Brazil's incursion into waste

co-processing in the cement industry since 1992. Despite these

advances, there are still challenges to be faced, such as public

opposition and the need for greater sectoral articulation. However,

with recent regulatory changes and the promotion of energy recovery

as a priority, further expansion of WtE technology in Brazil is expected

in the coming years.

Chile: Has implemented WTE technology in several cities, including

Santiago, the country's capital. WTE plants generate electricity and

contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. (ENC

Energy, 2020)

In the research conducted, it was found that several countries are

implementing the generation of clean energy through the controlled

incineration of solid waste, known as Waste-to-Energy (WTE), which

represents a significant opportunity for Ecuador. This technology

converts solid waste into electricity and heat, reducing the amount of

waste going to landfills and mitigating environmental pollution. It also

contributes to the diversification of the country's energy matrix, taking

advantage of waste as a valuable resource for generating renewable

energy.

Implementing WTE technology in Ecuador can help reduce

greenhouse gas emissions, such as methane, from traditional landfills.

By converting waste to energy, the release of these harmful gases into

the environment is reduced, supporting the country's climate change

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commitments. In addition, controlled incineration includes advanced

systems to capture and treat emissions, minimizing environmental

impact.

The infrastructure required for the WTE plants would generate

employment and economic development opportunities in Ecuador;

the construction and operation of these facilities require skilled labor

and can foster training and professional development in the waste

management sector for the entire academic community of the

Instituto Superior Tecnológico Simón Bolívar. In addition, the sale of

the energy generated provides an additional source of income, which

can be reinvested in sustainability and community development

projects.

A comprehensive waste management approach that includes WTE

technology would complement current recycling and composting

efforts in Ecuador. This technology integrates efficiently into a waste

management system where reduction, reuse and recycling are

priorities. Thus, non-recyclable waste can be used to generate

energy, ensuring maximum resource utilization and minimizing waste

sent to landfills.

For the implementation of WTE technology to be effective, it is crucial

to promote community participation and environmental education.

Informing and educating the population about the benefits and

operation of WTE plants can increase social acceptance and support

for these projects. In addition, active community participation in waste

management ensures a more collaborative and sustainable approach,

aligned with Ecuador's environmental and economic development

goals.

Conclusions

Chinese companies are at the forefront of clean energy generation

through controlled waste incineration; their leadership and

commitment to sustainability have demonstrated that WTE

technology is a viable and effective solution to contemporary

environmental challenges; with the right support and implementation,

Ecuador and other Latin American countries can greatly benefit from

signing long-term relationship agreements implementing this

Clean energy generation through controlled incineration WTE in Ecuador

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technology, thus promoting a cleaner and more sustainable future for

their regions.

The implementation of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) technology in Ecuador

represents a transformative opportunity to address solid waste

management, clean energy generation and sustainable development.

The research, development and innovation teaching of the Instituto

Superior Simón Bolívar, and with the backing of the award-winning

project at the NASA event in Samborondón in October 2023, leaves

the challenge to the authorities of Ecuador and Latin America to take

up this challenge. The adoption of WTE is not only feasible, but

essential for the future of Ecuador and Latin America.

This project will contribute significantly to the achievement of several

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Climate Action

(SDG 13), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), and Decent Work

and Economic Growth (SDG 8). By reducing reliance on landfills and

minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, Ecuador can position itself as

a leader in the fight against climate change; generating clean energy

from waste is a pragmatic and sustainable solution that needs to be

seriously considered.

The implementation of WTE plants will create numerous employment

opportunities, fostering professional development in areas of high

technological and environmental demand; this innovative approach

will not only provide renewable energy, but will also stimulate local

and national economic growth; authorities should see this as an

investment in the future, one that will strengthen the economy and

improve the quality of life for all citizens.

In addition, this project opens doors to address other environmental

challenges, such as the cleanup of rivers, seas and Ecuador's

Galapagos Islands; by incorporating advanced technologies and

promoting community participation, it will create a lasting and

positive impact on our natural environment: now is the time to act

decisively and responsibly to protect our natural heritage and ensure

a sustainable future for generations to come.

This article makes a call to the authorities of Ecuador and Latin

America: accept this challenge and lead the change towards a more

sustainable waste management and clean energy generation; the

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implementation of WTE is an opportunity to innovate, grow and

preserve our environment. Collaborative and participatory work

makes a significant difference and sets a precedent for a cleaner,

healthier and more prosperous future.

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