Waste minimization

Various approaches to waste minimization are explored. It is pointed out that basic ways of waste-minimization are to bury (landfill) to barter (recycle), to ban (say no), or to burn (decompose). Environmentalists are critical of incinerators, although Indianapolis has a waste-to-energy boiler-plant with acceptable pollution control. Composting is popular; but uncontrolled reactions can produce toxic compounds. Decompositions by aerobic, anaerobic, or microorganic processes at room temperature have slow rates and low inputs. Therefore, pyrolysis (optimal oxidation) is claimed (by patent) to increase throughput at subcombustion temperatures. Gasification is uniquely coupled with pyrolysis to minimize excess air and to recycle fuel-gases. It is concluded that this seems a reasonable compromise between combusting and composting