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Latin America and the Caribbean

2.4 Topic d: Incineration

Virtually no incinerators operate in Latin America or the Caribbean, although there have been a number of feasibility studies. To date, however, the costs of this technology are far too high to be considered by local governments as an appropriate waste management technology.

One municipal incinerator did operate in Mexico City; however, it was closed in 1992 because it could not meet emission standards. MSW incinerators were also tried in São Paulo and Buenos Aires, but they are not operative at the present time. In these cases operation and maintenance costs were too high. Other cities, such as Santiago, have assessed the feasibility of implementing an incinerator but concluded that such an endeavor was not economically viable.

Barbados has one tiny (one ton/day) incinerator for processing wastes originating in the port. Private financing for it was arranged by the company that provided the incinerator; the government is now repaying the loan.

Individual buildings do not have waste incinerators because they have been prohibited by law.

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