Paris facility transforms household waste into energy

An incineration plant on the outskirts of Paris burns tonnes of household waste each day to produce heat for the surrounding area.

The facility processes unsorted waste that is delivered by collection trucks and transferred into a pit before incineration. The combustion generates steam and electricity, which help power the plant and supply the Paris district heating network.

This system provides heat to municipal buildings, including hospitals, schools and social housing. A major part of the operation focuses on treating flue gases produced during combustion. The plant uses dust removal systems and pollution-control methods to limit heavy metals and acidity in the fumes.

Additives such as baking soda and lignite coke are used to reduce pollutants. Emissions are monitored in real time to ensure they remain below French and European regulatory limits.