Advantages of incineration of hygiene waste

1. Reduction of volume waste

   Incineration significantly reduces the volume of hygiene waste which is beneficial due to limited landfill space.



2. Destruction of pathogens

   Incineration effectively destroys pathogens in hygiene waste, reducing the risk of disease transmission.



3. Odour control

   Incineration eliminates any unpleasant odour which would occur in a landfill site.



4. Energy recovery

   Some incineration plants create energy using specialist machinery to generate electricity. These waste to energy plants use the waste as a fuel to heat boilers which produce steam. This steam then turns turbines which create the electricity.



5. Less space required

   Incineration plants require less land than landfills do.



6. Reduced environmental impact

   Modern incineration facilities are equipped with advanced emission control technologies which reduce the release of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases compared to older incinerators. This can result in lower air and ground water pollution compared to landfill sites.

Disadvantages of incineration of hygiene waste

1. Cost

   Building and operating, as well as maintenance of incineration facilities is expensive and skilled personnel are required for their safe and efficient operation.



2. Environmental impact

   While incineration can be a more environmentally friendly option than landfilling, it still raises concerns about air emissions including the release of pollutants like dioxins and heavy metals. The more plastic in waste, the more harmful emissions are produced during the incineration process. Unfortunately, hygiene products can contain plastic.



3. Does not contribute to overall reduction of waste

   Although incineration of waste significantly reduces the original volume of waste it does not encourage recycling as everything that is sent to an incineration plant is burned. Only metals remain after burning. In some countries, the waste to energy plants do not have enough waste to use as fuel for their furnaces so rely on buying waste from other countries.

Advantages of using landfill for disposal of hygiene waste

1. Cost effective

   Landfilling can be a relatively cost-effective method of waste disposal when compared to the high capital and operational costs associated with building, operating and maintaining incineration facilities.



2. Can produce electricity

   Some landfill sites in the UK can produce electricity. As the organic material buried in the landfill decomposes, the methane rich gas produced is extracted and used to generate electricity. This electricity is then fed to the National grid.



3. Accessibility and convenience

   Landfills are typically distributed across the country and are readily accessible for waste disposal making them a convenient option for local authorities and waste management companies

Disadvantages of using landfill for disposal of hygiene waste

1. Limited Space

   Landfills require a significant amount of land space and finding suitable locations can be challenging, especially in densely populated areas. Landfills are reaching full capacity in the UK because we’re running out of space.



2. Hazardous Waste

   Toxic waste can often end up in landfills.



3. Odour

   The smell created by rotting rubbish creates an unpleasant odour to the surrounding area.



4. Soil and water pollution

   Old landfill sites typically were not lined before the waste was dumped in them which over time results in chemicals leaching out, causing contamination of soil and rivers. Even in the more modern landfills which are lined, accidents can happen, and the liners can rupture causing pollution.



5. Air pollution

   Harmful gases such as methane and carbon dioxide are produced when biodegradable waste in landfill sites begins to rot. These gases contribute greatly to climate change.



6. Negative impact on wildlife

   Landfill sites require large amounts of land space which creates destruction of natural habitats. They also attract lots of rats, seagulls and crows. When soil and water pollution occur, plants and aquatic life can be contaminated.

Conclusion

So, neither system of waste disposal is ideal and both have their problems, however overall, incineration seems to be the better choice, especially for the disposal of hygiene waste as it cannot be reused or recycled.