Introduction

The WtE+X Knowledge Alliance is a strategic partnership that brings together leading organisations in waste management, energy, academia, and sustainability, initially consisting of CEWEP, ESWET and WtERT. Positioned at the forefront of sustainable waste management, the Alliance aims to foster collaboration, provide evidence-based information about WtE and WtX technologies, and champion circular economy and depollution principles. Together, we aim at a greener, more resilient future by advancing solutions that align with global sustainability goals.

Our mission is to accelerate the global adoption of WtE+X technologies, focusing on reducing methane emissions, diverting waste (that can be used for material and energy recovery) from landfills, combating misinformation, and supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Objectives

1. Promoting WtE+XTechnologies:

1. • The Alliance seeks to elevate awareness of the benefits of WtE+X technologies, highlighting their capacity to convert residual non-recyclable waste into valuable resources.
   • By promoting WtE+X, we contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, and minimise the environmental impact of waste disposal.
   • The Alliance assists in developing WtE+X to reduce the industry’s impact on global warming by promoting CCUS technologies.

2. Promoting integrated Waste Management systems:

1. • We advocate for the development of inclusive infrastructure that integrates WtE+X facilities into urban and regional planning.
   • The Alliance aims to create an informed policy environment that encourages investment in WtE+X projects as part of an integrated Waste Management system. It aims to ensure equitable access to clean energy and integrated and sustainable Waste Management solutions.

3. Mitigating Methane Emissions:

1. • Through research, education, and outreach, the Alliance works to minimise methane emissions by diverting waste from landfills to higher levels of the waste hierarchy.
   • This effort contributes significantly to global climate change mitigation strategies and aligns with the goals of international agreements such as the Paris Agreement.

The Alliance supports the development of technologies for increased recovery of raw materials from Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) and from Fly Ash, by the same time contributing to a lower carbon footprint (see also 4).

4. Championing the Circular Economy:

1. • The Alliance aligns with circular economy principles, transforming waste into a resource rather than a burden.
   • By recovering energy and materials from non-recyclable waste, WtE+X supports a more sustainable and circular waste management system, reducing reliance on virgin resources.

5. Dispelling myths about WtE+X technologies:

1. • The Alliance is committed to engaging with communities, policymakers, and the media to provide accurate, science-based information about WtE+X technologies.
   • We prioritise transparent communication, ensuring that the public understands the safety and environmental benefits of well-regulated WtE+X facilities.
   • To enhance our efforts, we will detect, measure, and track misinformation across social media and other platforms. By understanding the trends and sources of false claims, we can effectively counteract them and protect communities from being misled.

Collaborating Organisations

The WtE+X Knowledge Alliance at the outset links the web sites and information resources of the following organizations:

• CEWEP (Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants):

CEWEP represents WtE plant operators across Europe. Their operational insights inform policy and promote efficient waste management.

• ESWET (European Suppliers of Waste-to-Energy Technology):

ESWET represents technology providers in the European WtE sector. Their expertise drives innovation and best practices.

• WtERT® (Global Waste-to-Energy Research and Technology Council):

Leading academic network of universities, WtERT® was founded by the Earth Engineering Center of Columbia University and is now co-managed with the College of Energy Engineering at Zhejiang University. WtERT® focuses on advancing research on WtE, knowledge dissemination, and collaboration among industries and universities worldwide.

Future members may be suggested by the founding partners. Admission of new partners to the Knowledge Alliance must to be accepted unanimously by the existing partners.

Collaborative Activities

Workshops and Conferences: The Alliance may organise and participate in workshops, conferences, and seminars to share knowledge, best practices, and innovations in WtE+X technologies. These events could serve as platforms for dialogue between industry leaders, policymakers, and academics, fostering collaboration and advancing the global WtE+X agenda.

Policy Support and Advocacy: The Alliance aims at providing expert guidance and decision support to governments and intergovernmental organizations, including the UN, UNEP, UNECE, World bank, IFC… to shape policies that promote sustainable waste management and WtE adoption. Our collective expertise will support the development of policy frameworks at national, regional, and global levels.

Research and Development: Collaborative research initiatives will form a cornerstone of the Alliance’s activities, fostering innovation in Waste-to-Energy and related technologies (WtE+X), and supporting their integration into circular economy models. In pursuit of this mission, the Alliance will engage in structured research cooperation through joint projects, data sharing, and thematic studies. The results of such collaborations will be disseminated through peer-reviewed scientific journals and technical publications to ensure academic credibility and global reach. Each party will retain full ownership of its respective intellectual property and contributions. Any jointly developed outputs will be governed by mutually agreed terms that respect confidentiality, proper attribution, and the equitable management of rights and responsibilities, in accordance with international best practices and applicable intellectual property laws.

The implementation of the above-mentioned activities will depend on the availability of personnel and financial resources. Periodic coordination meetings will be held to assess the progress of the effort-sharing.

To support public outreach and policy advocacy, the websites and social media networks of member organizations will serve as channels for promoting Alliance publications and research outcomes. Any content shared on these platforms must align with the principles above. Each contributing party will prepare and publish such material at its own expense and retains full responsibility and liability for the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of the content it provides.

Conclusion

The WtE+X Knowledge Alliance is a transformative initiative that will drive the global adoption of sustainable Waste-to-Energy solutions. By uniting industry leaders, policymakers, and academics, we aim to create a more sustainable future, reducing the environmental impact of waste while supporting economic and social development. Together, we can make significant strides toward achieving the UN’s SDGs and building a resilient and clean circular economy whilst reducing environmental and climate impacts.

* WtX includes Material Recovery, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and/ or Utilisation (CCU), etc.