Assessing dioxin emissions change in the transition from landfilling of MSW to waste-to-energy

The term "dioxins" encompasses a group of chlorinated organic pollutants, including polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), which impact human health, affecting immunological, neurological, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Activities like burning fuels, waste incineration, landfill fires, and certain industrial processes are major sources of dioxin emissions. There has been much debate on the quantity of dioxins released by waste incinerators but considerably less debate has been carried out on the dioxin emissions of landfill fires. Thus, this study evaluates dioxin emissions changes in countries that have transitioned from landfill to waste-to-energy (WTE) in a specific period. This study analyzes data from selected countries, including the UK, Austria, Poland, Ireland, Norway, Lithuania, Finland, and China, and applies parametric estimation methods to determine changes in dioxin emissions during the transition from landfill to WTE. The results of this study indicate that reducing landfilling leads to a significant decrease in dioxin emissions. In the studied countries, dioxin emissions decreased in the range of 27% and 94% per mass unit of waste treated by WTE and landfill methods. This reduction emphasizes the potential of WTE to increase environmental sustainability compared to traditional landfilling. Also, it confirms that the reduction of landfill fires is the main factor in the reduction of dioxin emissions. The study's insights may serve as guidance for underdeveloped and developing regions seeking to mitigate dioxins and other pollution through modernized waste treatment infrastructure.