Spokane’s Unique Role in Waste-to-Energy Did you know that Spokane is home to the only waste-to-energy facility in Washington State? It sits on the West Plains near Spokane International Airport at 2900 South Geiger Boulevard. The plant has been operating since 1991 and is one of only about 75 to 80 similar facilities in the […]
Spokane’s Unique Role in Waste-to-Energy
Did you know that Spokane is home to the only waste-to-energy facility in Washington State? It sits on the West Plains near Spokane International Airport at 2900 South Geiger Boulevard. The plant has been operating since 1991 and is one of only about 75 to 80 similar facilities in the United States.
How Much Waste and Energy
Each day, the facility can process up to 800 tons of garbage. The process generates about 22 megawatts of electricity, enough to power around 13,000 homes. Burning waste reduces its volume by nearly 90 percent and its weight by about 70 percent. The remaining ash is biologically inert and used as daily cover at a regional landfill.
How It Works
Garbage from around the region is delivered to the plant and dropped into a large pit. Cranes mix the waste and lift it into a combustion chamber where it burns at very high temperatures. Pipes filled with water capture the heat, creating steam. The steam moves through high-pressure pipes and spins a turbine that produces electricity.
Why It Matters
This facility is an integral part of Spokane’s solid waste system. It allows the community to reduce the amount of trash sent to landfills while creating renewable power. Still, it is not the first choice for managing waste. Reducing waste through repair, reuse, rental, and selective purchasing is the best strategy. For waste that can’t be prevented, recycling and composting provide a much greater environmental benefit than waste-to-energy. For instance, recycling a single aluminum can saves as much energy as if that can were half-full of gasoline… way more than burning it would generate. Residents are encouraged to reduce, recycle, and compost as much as possible, but for everything else, the waste-to-energy plant is a great community resource.
Protecting Air Quality
Many people wonder what happens to the garbage after it is burned. The Spokane facility uses advanced air filtration and pollution control systems to protect the air. These systems are monitored closely and must meet strict state and federal standards.
What About the Ash
After combustion, what remains is ash. Spokane sends this ash to a regional landfill, where it is used to cover garbage each day. City and county leaders are also studying ways to turn the ash into a usable material, such as in construction projects.
Spokane’s waste-to-energy facility shows how innovation can help reduce landfill use and create electricity at the same time. It is a practical solution that supports recycling, composting, and a cleaner future for the region.