Toronto - An international gathering of scientists, researchers, and industry experts will be meeting in Toronto on Thursday October 31, 2013 to discuss the opportunities and challenges created by state-of-the-art energy recovery (or energy-from-waste) technology.

With municipalities and industries across the country searching for ways to manage waste, generate affordable energy, and create new revenue streams, energy recovery from waste (or energy-from-waste) presents a highly promising pathway.

"This symposium adds an important element to the discussion of sustainable energy," says WISE's Tracey Forrest.  "Advancements in energy recovery through rigorous evidence-based science are critical if we are to realize the full potential of waste as a resource in a sustainable energy future."

The Energy Recovery Symposium is being hosted in partnership with the University of Waterloo, Columbia University of New York, the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE), the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA), the Canadian Energy-From-Waste Coalition (CEFWC), and the Ontario Environmental Industries Association (ONEIA).

"What makes this event unique is the scientific perspective," says Rick Brandes, formerly of the US Environmental Protection Agency, and speaking at the Symposium on the role of energy recovery in the current and future structure of energy sources and waste management.  "With a focus on the academic and scientific perspective - on policy, not commerce - this is the ideal forum for gaining clear insight into the potential for energy recovery and energy-from-waste."

Expert speakers from around the world will present their findings related to human health and risk assessments, energy production and efficiency, public opinion polling, and policy development in the US and Europe.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for cross border collaboration," says Professor Nickolas Themelis of Columbia University's Earth Engineering Centre.  "We're thrilled to see Canadian universities embrace the potential for energy recovery from materials that are currently landfilled."

With the city of Toronto currently reviewing its long-term waste management plans, this is the ideal opportunity to learn what the latest technologies can do.  Durham Region is currently building a new energy-from-waste plant that will come on-line in late 2014.  Both Peel Region and Metro Vancouver are actively investigating the potential of the technology to service their long-term needs.

Download the media release below.