The Magic of Waste-To-Energy!

This presentation features a virtual tour of the York County Resource Recovery Center, the first waste-to-energy facility in Pennsylvania to use advanced air pollution control technology. Participants will learn about the technology that not only reduces the county’s garbage to a small volume of ash, but also recycles it into electricity. YCSWA provides all necessary materials. The in-person program features an interactive presentation.

Discussion Topics

• Where does garbage come from?
• How much trash is generated?
• What types of waste are generated?
• How does recycling impact the waste stream?
• What is the importance of environmental controls and regulations?
• How does a waste-to-energy facility use garbage as a fuel to generate electricity?
• What happens to the ash leftover from processing garbage?

Requirements
Access to an electrical outlet.

Evaluation Tool
Students will be able to describe the basics of how a waste-to-energy facility works, understand the environmental benefits of using waste-to-energy to manage garbage, and identify how we manage waste in York County (waste reduction, reuse, recycling, waste-to-energy).

Extensions

1. Schedule an in-person tour of the York County Resource Recovery Center. Call (717) 845-1066 or click here to schedule.
2. Conduct a school (or grade-level) survey. Ask students where they think their garbage goes after it is taken away in a trash truck — a landfill, waste-to-energy plant, or recycle center. Create a bulletin board displayed at your school that posts the results and highlights the correct answer (the York County Resource Recovery Center).
3. Create a flyer advertising what a waste-to-energy facility is featuring the benefits to the community.

Virtual Program

Duration
30–45 minutes (adaptable to grade-appropriate length)

In-Person Program

Duration
45 minutes (adaptable to grade-appropriate length)