OFF-SITE INCINERATION VS. ON-SITE.

A shortfall in incineration capacity for solids and sludges is likely in the period 1988-92. This shortage will ease, hopefully, by the end of 1992 as new commercial incineration capacity is brought on-stream. In fact, by early 1993 there could actually be a capacity surplus, depending on the degree of regulation of industrial furnaces and boilers using waste-derived fuels. In developing long-term plans, it is difficult for waste-generating companies to accurately product the volume and characteristics that their wastes will have over time. This situation is further compounded by uncertainties of future environmental regulations affecting incinerable waste streams. Except for companies with very large waste volumes, generally, economics of scale do not justify the cost of generator-owned and -operated on-site incinerators. Moreover, greater risks than those generally perceived are associated with such on-site projects.