The concept of refuse-derived fuels (RDFs) is one that has the potential for addressing two of the most troubling environmental problems in the world at the same time: solid waste disposal and a source of energy. The term refusederived fuel refers to any process or method by which waste materials are converted into a form in which they can be burned as a source of energy.

In regions of the world characterized by a throwaway ethic and swamped with essentially non-degradable materials, accumulation and disposal of solid waste continue to be a growing problem. In 1960, each American generated 2.7 lb (1.2 kg) of solid waste. This grew to 4.3 lb (1.9 kg) per person by 1990. Americans continue to generate more solid waste each day but the rate of growth has decreased. In 2002, every man, woman, and child in the United States produced an average of 4.5 lb (2.0 kg) of waste each...