Bypass waste is acceptable waste that, while intended for processing at the OWEF (presumably an energy-from-waste facility), cannot be processed there and must instead be disposed of in the bypass landfill. This waste stream includes material resulting from scheduled or unscheduled maintenance at the OWEF or waste exceeding the plant's processing capacity.
In simpler terms, bypass waste is waste that should have been processed at a waste-to-energy plant but ends up in a landfill instead because the plant can't handle it.
Here's a breakdown of the components that contribute to bypass waste:
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Acceptable Waste: This is waste that should be suitable for processing at the OWEF. It meets the facility's specifications in terms of composition and type.
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Inability to Process at OWEF: Several factors can lead to this:
- Scheduled Maintenance: Routine maintenance requires the plant to shut down certain systems, reducing or eliminating processing capacity. During this time, incoming waste that would normally be processed must be diverted.
- Unscheduled Maintenance: Unexpected breakdowns or equipment failures can similarly disrupt processing and generate bypass waste.
- Exceeding Plant Capacity: The OWEF has a limited capacity. When waste volumes exceed this capacity, the excess becomes bypass waste.
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Disposal in Bypass Landfill: Because the waste cannot be processed at the OWEF, the only alternative is disposal in a designated bypass landfill. This landfill is specifically for waste that was intended for the energy-from-waste facility but could not be processed.
Example Scenario:
Imagine a city's waste management system relies heavily on an OWEF. If the OWEF undergoes planned maintenance for two weeks, all the waste normally processed during those two weeks becomes bypass waste and is sent to the bypass landfill. Similarly, if a major storm generates an unusually large volume of waste that exceeds the OWEF's daily capacity, the excess is classified as bypass waste.
