Conversion technologies are an integral process in achieving a zero-waste goal. These technologies not only create a beneficial product, but would also meet all California environmental requirements regarding air emissions and waste-water discharge.

The County's initial call for proposals prompted more than 30 responses from technology vendors interested in partnering with the County of Los Angeles, for a CT demonstration project in Southern California. Since this initial phase, we have screened and ranked the technology supplies vendors to four finalists, which are ArrowBio, International Environmental Solutions (IES), Interstate Waste Technologies (IWT), and Ntech Environment.

The four final conversion technology suppliers were selected after passing two RFPs, providing all information available. All of the finalists are capable of taking municipal solid waste and converting residue -- the waste remaining after processing by a materials recovery facility has removed recyclables to the extent feasible -and converting it to a combination of marketable products,

renewable energy and/or green fuels such as ethanol or biodiesel. Additionally each of the CT processes is capable of achieving high landfill diversion, and meet Southern California’s stringent environmental regulations.

Many of these processes have facilities currently in operation either abroad or in the United States. Expert members of our Alternative Technology Advisory Subcommittee recently visited these facilities in the Spring of 2007.

The County of Los Angeles has released its final report evaluating the potential for conversion technologies in Southern California, finding that conversion technologies can occupy a vital economic and environmental position in helping Los Angeles process its waste stream. Four locations and four technology developers have been invited to submit proposals for a demonstration facility. Final selection of a project will be completed by May 2008.

Interstate Waste Technologies uses a machine press on pre-sorted non-recyclable MSW which feeds to a pyrolysis/gasification combination process to convert the MSW into a syngas and slag-type of by-product. The syngas can be used in a turbine to generate renewable energy and the slag by-product can be used as an aggregate raw material for construction.

International Environmental Solutions uses pyrolysis to take pre-sorted non-recyclable MSW and converts it into a syngas and carbon char. The syngas can be used in a turbine to generate renewable energy, and the carbon char can be re-activated and turned into a marketable product.