## What is Energy from Waste?

**Energy from waste (EfW)**, also known as 'Waste to Energy', is a kind of resource recovery which diverts waste from landfill to reduce greenhouse gases, recovers recyclable metals that would have otherwise been lost, and produces energy that can be sent back into the local power grid.

By recovering the energy from waste that would have been sent to landfill, we help communities move up the waste hierarchy, improving their sustainability.



 

 

 



 

 

### Related topics

    [Circular economy](https://www.veolia.com/anz/glossary/circular-economy)

    [Energy recovery](https://www.veolia.com/anz/glossary/energy-recovery)

 

 

 





 

 





[**Return to Glossary**](https://www.veolia.com/anz/glossary)



 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 





**Waste hierarchy**

   ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2011/files/styles/default/public/image/2022/11/Waste%20hierarchy%20-%20ARC.png.webp?itok=94Snlltb)   



### How does energy from waste work?

The technology works by applying controlled combustion to non-hazardous, non-recyclable waste and directing the resulting steam through a turbine to generate electricity. The waste is processed to collect metals and is then treated to be sent for recycling as aggregate, such as in the construction industry. All gases produced in this process are filtered, treated, and monitored before dispersion.



 

 

 



 

 

 

 





### Further reading

 

 [   ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2011/files/styles/media/public/image/2024/02/Earthpower-NSW.jpg.webp?itok=r3h827uz)   ](https://www.veolia.com/anz/our-facilities/energy-from-waste/earthpower)[Recovering energy from food waste at EarthPower](https://www.veolia.com/anz/our-facilities/energy-from-waste/earthpower)

 

###       [Recovering energy from food waste at EarthPower](https://www.veolia.com/anz/our-facilities/energy-from-waste/earthpower) 

 

 

 



 

 [   ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2011/files/styles/media/public/image/2022/08/Veolia%20Voice_Website_Home%20Banner%20%28400%20%C3%97%20400%20px%29.gif?itok=R57ESAL9)   ](https://www.veolia.com/anz/newsroom/veolia-voice-energy-recovery-facilities)[Veolia Voice: Energy Recovery Facilities](https://www.veolia.com/anz/newsroom/veolia-voice-energy-recovery-facilities)

 

###       [Veolia Voice: Energy Recovery Facilities](https://www.veolia.com/anz/newsroom/veolia-voice-energy-recovery-facilities) 

 

 

 



 

 [   ![Veolia Energy Recovery Facility at Portsmouth](/sites/g/files/dvc2011/files/styles/media/public/image/2020/05/Portsmouth_0037.JPG.webp?itok=37Gs_3UT)   ](https://www.veolia.com/anz/sustainability-blog/successful-energy-recovery-learnings-abroad)[Successful energy recovery: learnings from abroad](https://www.veolia.com/anz/sustainability-blog/successful-energy-recovery-learnings-abroad)

 

###       [Successful energy recovery: learnings from abroad](https://www.veolia.com/anz/sustainability-blog/successful-energy-recovery-learnings-abroad) 

 

 

 



 

 

 





**HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?**

**Get in touch with our team to learn more about energy recovery and the benefits it can deliver.**

[Make an Enquiry](https://www.veolia.com/anz/contact-us)