This is the process of generating energy in the form of electricity and/or heat from the primary treatment of waste, or the processing of waste into a fuel source. WTE is a form of energy recovery. Most WTE processes generate electricity and/or heat directly through combustion, or produce a combustible fuel commodity, such as Methane, Methanol, Ethanol or Synthetic Fuels.

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Energy from waste (EFW) is a type of incineration that involves burning waste at temperatures over 850°C. The waste is mixed and sometimes shredded to make sure that it will burn properly. It is then moved to a combustion chamber where oxygen is added. Incinerators use the heat from the chamber to create steam, which can then be used to make electricity by turning a steam turbine.
The steam can also be used to provide heat to local homes and businesses. These types of incinerators are called energy from waste (EFW) facilities which can operate as combined heat and power (CHP) plants if they produce heat as well.

By burning the waste, most of it turns into carbon dioxide and water. Any material that won't burn, like glass, metals or stones, collects at the bottom of the chamber and is known as bottom ash. Incinerators also create small amounts of gases, such as nitrous oxides and fine particles. The emissions from incinerators are carefully controlled. The air is cleaned by a sophisticated air-pollution control (APC) system before it is released in the atmosphere.

Not only do they mean we no longer need to bury our waste in the ground but energy from waste facilities generate electricity and heat. The electricity can be used locally or fed into the national grid network. By burning waste to create this sort of power, rather than coal or oil, we are helping to save the earth's precious stores of these finite resources. Energy from waste can also increase recycling as the bottom ash can be processed into building materials and metals can be extracted.