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AVR has found a beneficial way to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Waste to energy GHG emissions make the burning of waste to produce power a not so clean solution. However, AVR, a Dutch waste to energy (W2E) company, has found a way to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by supplying some of the carbon dioxide (CO2) it produces to a local horticultural greenhouse.

The C02 helps to promote plant growth in the greenhouse.

The AVR’s W2E plant is located in Duiven and, according to the company, it is the first facility of its kind in Europe that is capable of capturing carbon dioxide on a truly significant scale. The captured CO2 is given to the local horticultural greenhouse where it encourages the plants within the greenhouse to grow, creating a win-win situation.

More specifically, the flue gases from incineration that create the waste to energy GHG emissions are fed to the installation though a pipe. The carbon dioxide is removed from the smoke by way of liquid. This liquid is then heated to release pure CO2. This resulting pure CO2 can be cooled and compressed into a liquid for storage in one of four barrels, according to AVR Manager Robert Hageman, Waste Management World reports.

When the CO2 is ready for the greenhouse, it is transported by Air Liquide. The CO2 can be used by greenhouses to make crops like flowers, fruit and tomatoes grow at a quicker rate. Traditionally, the effect was produced by burning natural gas, but with the CO2, this is no longer required.

AVR’s waste to energy GHG emissions reduction goal is to eventually become carbon neutral.

Currently, the Duiven W2E plant processes waste from1.5 million homes. This releases about 400,000 tons of CO2. However, thanks to the new process, the company is able to reuse 60,000 tons of this CO2.

It took over a year to build the CO2 capture installation with the help of technical engineering company TPI, and cost €20 million ($22 million). AVR is presently investigating if a similar installation would be possible at its location in Rotterdam.

Ultimately, the company’s goal is to be free of waste to energy GHG emissions. The CO2 capture installations are a step in the right direction.