In this master thesis, four models for the disposal of waste (municipal and industrial waste: key no. 91101) in the Austrian province of Vorarlberg after 01.01.2004 are presented and compared ecologically and economically.
Due to the geographical location of the province, the legal provisions in the neighbouring countries of Switzerland and Germany are considered in addition to those in Austria.
The following models are considered:
- All of the waste is incinerated (MSW-Incinerator Weinfelden)
- The waste is mechanically treated (crushed/sorted) and sent to landfill.
- The waste is biologically treated and the calorific fraction is incinerated at RVL –Lenzing
- The waste is treated biologically and the calorific fraction is incinerated at Weinfelden
The results show conclusively that the best ecological option is the incineration of waste at Weinfelden, due to the high technical standards of the facility.
The options biological treatment followed by treatment of the calorific fractions at RVL-Lenzing or Weinfelden are second best from stand point of ecology due to the thermal off-gas purification at the biological treatment plant and the waste to energy utilisation of the calorific fraction. The only difference between these two options is the longer transport distance to Lenzing.
Disposing of waste in landfill is the least favourable ecological option because of high level of emissions (landfill gas and leachate generation), despite the calorific fraction being incinerated.
The costs of the options considered lie between 169 and 199 /Mg of waste. Incinerating 100% of the waste at Weinfelden is the least economical option due to the high technological standard of the facilities and this option having the highest transport costs. The cheapest option is the disposal of mechanically treated waste in landfill, however the law will change as from 01.01.2006 onwards additional contributions will mean a rise in costs/Mg to almost the same level as those for 100% incineration.