Maximizing Value from Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Ash — Electrochemical and Chemical Methods for Material Recovery
Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) plays a critical role in our waste and energy ecosystem by reducing waste volume and generating electricity. However, the economic viability of MSW incinerators is at risk due to declining electricity prices. Meanwhile, MSWI ash represents an untapped resource for valuable compounds, with an embodied value of $100–$400/tonne, contrasted with incurred landfilling expenses (∼$50/tonne). Here, we propose an integrated process utilizing MSWI electricity to power electrochemical and chemical processes for mining MSWI ash.