Urban waste to energy (WTE) plants: A social analysis

Wastes are resources and their prevention and recycling are sustainable pillars of any municipal solid waste (MSW) management scheme. However, in order to reduce their deposit into landfills, other treatment methods are needed. The technological development of waste to energy (WTE) plants goes into this direction, but a stakeholders’ behavioural change is mandatory. This paper proposes a social analysis, based on direct interviews, for the identification of the most critical elements determining the aversion towards a WTE plant construction in two Italian regions (Lombardia and Lazio). One thousand replies were collected and a great interest on these issues was evidenced. What emerged is that the Italian situation is critical and urgent action is required. This social framework provides quantitative and qualitative assessment that can support local and national policy makers’ strategic actions.