Purpose and Scope of the Guidebook

As Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) face increasing waste generation and limited landfill capacity, this guidebook offers a comprehensive framework for understanding, evaluating, and planning WtE solutions that are both technically and financially feasible.

It is intended for:

• Municipal and national governments
• Solid waste management professionals
• Investors and project developers
• Academic institutions and technical agencies

What the Guidebook Covers, Chapter Highlights

Chapters 1–4: Technical Fundamentals

• Energy content of waste and what makes MSW suitable for energy recovery

• Overview of key WtE technologies:
  • Grate combustion (dominant globally)
  • Fluidized bed combustion
  • Gasification and pyrolysis (less proven but emerging)

• Insight into global trends in WtE technology deployment and why grate combustion remains the most widely used due to simplicity, reliability, and high availability.

Chapter 5: Environmental & Economic Considerations

• Detailed explanation of:
• • Air pollution control systems
  • Ash management
  • Energy output per ton of MSW
  • Capital and O&M costs

• Procurement and implementation models, including how to structure tenders and select qualified providers

• Key success factors for WtE viability: high plant availability, reliable MSW supply, institutional coordination

Chapter 6: Summary of Lessons Learned

• Strategic recommendations for integrating WtE into national infrastructure priorities

• Emphasis on long-term planning, including 20–40 year plant life cycles

• Recognition that government support is often needed to make WtE financially viable, but long-term operational success brings economic and environmental dividends.

Chapters 7–10: Real-World Case Studies

Valparaíso (Chile), Toluca (Mexico), Buenos Aires (Argentina)

• Site-specific feasibility studies using real data and assumptions

• Projections of costs, revenues, IRR, and net present value

• Gate fee calculations and how plant scale influences affordability

• How collection logistics and MSW quality directly affect economic feasibility

Island Applications: Caribbean & North Atlantic

• Study of WtE facilities in Aruba, Bermuda, and Martinique

• Importance of WtE for small island states where land is scarce

• Role of WtE in energy resilience and tourism protection

For Decision-Makers: Strategic Policy Insights

The guidebook provides a roadmap for prioritizing sustainable solid waste management:

• WtE should be treated as critical urban infrastructure, on par with water and sanitation

• Emphasizes cross-sector collaboration between public entities, utilities, and private sector

• Encourages technology-neutral tenders, open to any WtE process that meets environmental and performance benchmarks

• Strong focus on performance-based contracts (e.g. electricity output per ton, emissions standards, minimum hours of operation)

Download and Read

Download the full publication or the executive summary using the links above.
We invite cities, ministries, utilities, and stakeholders to use this technical note as a starting point for action—whether in planning new WtE projects or evaluating existing waste management strategies.
To support wider adoption and understanding across Latin America and the Caribbean, this guidebook is now available in three languages:

• Executive summary in English

• Full report, English (original)

• Spanish translation

• Portuguese translation