Would you recommend using trash as an energy source?

Question

why or why not?

Answer 1

Yes

Answer 2

I don't understand why we can't come up with a productive use for all our human trash and waste, converting it all into energy. Certainly the technologies exist; I suspect the big oil and energy corporations don't want to pursue it - or don't want others to pursue it.
When I was a young boy, I remember my grandfather telling me about an engineer at Bowser Pump Company in Fort Wayne, Indiana who invented an automobile engine that ran on water. The "big three" automakers expressed interest, as did a few 'big oil' companies. They paid the engineer a handsome sum for the rights to his invention, and all the blueprints were then shelved, eventually to be destroyed when Bowser Pump Co. closed down.

Why can't we develop a "slurry' or 'sludge' made from human waste and garbage that converts into a permanent kind of pavement for roads and sidewalks, etc.? Probably because the asphalt and cement companies would be out of business without all the constant repair and replacement work they do to our roads and parking lots now.

I think the technology exists; I think 'big business' controls things so that no efficient, less profitable means of energy is developed until we have finally used up all of the world's natural gas, oil and coal. -RKO- 11/23/07

Answer 3

As much as it seems like a great idea...it's not going to work. You can't even get people to recycle, let alone give their waste up for energy, and you have to have EVERYONE on board to try such a venture. Also when you are dealing with trash you deal with materials that could be hazardous materials and even with the best regulations and surveillance hazards still make it into landfills that are not permitted to accept them. Burning is not a good option because then you have useless ash to get rid of, plus the vapors and gases that go into the atmosphere. Our best bet in getting the most for our trash is to...a. reuse as much as possible b. reduce what you toss out, reduce what you buy, be happy with what you have. c. recycle everything. d. buy diesel and convert it to run on vegetable oil...(very awesome bc there are tons of places that dispose of their oil and you can help reuse it) & Compost food waste.

Landfills are a sight for sure, but they work when they are done properly.

So I guess after writing all this we do actually use some "trash" as energy sources - it's all in how you look at it and what you might consider energy.

Answer 4

The problem with certain kinds of trash-to-energy facilities is a thing called "fly ash". It's really incompletely combusted materials. There's nothing you can do with it. It won't burn, it's often toxic, it makes lousy landfill, and when mixed with water it forms sort of a useless cement like substance.

On the upside there's less fly ash than there is trash. On the down side it's harder to get rid of.

Answer 5

Yes. We really need alternate energy sources, so if you can do it with trash, WOO-HOO!

Answer 6

Of course u should! if u have the correct eqiupment and you actaully know what your doing have at yourself! But be very careful.

Answer 7

yeah saves energy and we can use it to good use to help protect the earth.

Answer 8

yes

Answer 9

If there is a way that it can be done safely, then I say go for it

Answer 10

yes if u have the right equipment! GO GREEN