What type of waste management reduces the volume of waste while providing energy through combustion?

Incineration is a waste management process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. This method effectively reduces the volume of waste by burning it at high temperatures, which converts the waste into ash, flue gas, and heat. The significant reduction in the waste volume is one of the primary advantages of incineration, as it can diminish the need for landfill space.

In addition to volume reduction, incineration has the added benefit of energy recovery. The heat generated during the combustion process can be harnessed to produce steam, which can then generate electricity or provide heating, turning waste into a source of energy. This dual benefit of waste minimization and energy production makes incineration a valuable method in waste management strategies.

Landfills are primarily used for the disposal of waste without reducing its volume significantly and do not provide energy recovery. Recycling focuses on the collection and processing of materials to create new products, and composting is a method for organic waste treatment that reduces volume through biodegradation but does not involve energy recovery in the same manner as incineration.