Abstract:
This paper reviews the process of pyrolysis with an aim of assessing its potential as an alternative technology for
managing municipal solid waste in Kenya. Pyrolysis is the thermo-chemical decomposition of organic matter, at
high temperatures, in the absence of oxygen. Organic matter simultaneously undergoes a change in chemical and
physical phase, forming a gas, liquid and carbon-rich solid residue, which can be used as fuels. Pyrolysis is one of
the processes involved in charring of wood, burning of solid fuels and volcanic eruptions which bring lava into
contact with vegetation. Pyrolysis has been applied widely in the chemical industry for production of charcoal,
methanol, PVC, activated carbon and gasoline. The process has also been applied to convert solid waste into safely
disposable substances. In Kenya, pyrolysis has been widely applied in local production of charcoal. This continues
to pose serious environmental challenges due to widespread deforestation and emission of greenhouse gases into
the atmosphere. Meanwhile, Kenya continues to face serious municipal solid waste management challenges
associated with urbanization and population pressure. Pyrolysis energy recovery from MSW has been successfully
practiced in countries such as the UK, Turkey and Japan, where used tetra pak is now being used as a source of
fuel, reducing its presence in Municipal Solid Waste by over 80%. Pyrolysis can also be used to convert plastic
waste and waste rubber, which pose a great environmental problem in Kenya, into useful energy. Pyrolysis is
relatively insensitive to input material and prevents formation of dioxins and combustion materials associated with
burnt waste. This guarantees my strong recommendation to Kenyan environmental management agencies to
adopt pyrolysis to help manage plastics and tetra pak in Municipal solid waste and as an alternative source of
energy.
