The Barron County Incinerator

In the heart of Wisconsin, amidst rolling farmlands and picturesque small towns, lies an unlikely power source: the Barron County Waste-to-Energy facility. This modern, meticulously regulated facility incinerates up to 100 tons of material per day, generating clean energy and reducing landfill contributions.

The facility, known as the “Barron County incinerator,” is a testament to the evolving landscape of waste management. An example of innovation, ecological awareness and community partnership, the incinerator is one of only a few in the United States that can burn practically any non-hazardous item—even super-insulated coolers, appliances and high-density materials.

Reducing Carbon Footprints with Incinerators

The story of the Barron County incinerator begins in the 1980s, when landfills were the norm but concerns about environmental impacts, such as groundwater contamination, were growing. Barron County, like many communities, faced the challenge of sustainably managing its waste stream. The traditional approach of burying trash in landfills needed to be reimagined.

County leaders recognized the need for a more innovative approach. They sought a solution that would not only address the immediate waste disposal needs but also provide long-term environmental and economic benefits. After careful consideration, the waste-to-energy facility opened in 1986. Over the years, the incinerator has become an invaluable resource—both locally and nationwide. Businesses of all types, including massive online retailers, industrial and consumer-goods manufacturers, construction companies and other environmentally conscious customers regularly utilize the incinerator. “Many of these companies have goals to reduce their carbon footprint,” Bohn explains. “Rather than having their trash sit in a landfill for decades, we turn it into something useful in the form of electricity. The only byproduct we cannot use is ash, which amounts to a small fraction compared to the original materials.

The Waste-to-energy Process

The process at the Barron County incinerator is a blend of engineering and environmental science. It begins with the arrival of trucks weighed on the SURVIVOR OTR truck scale. This weight is recorded and the trucks dump their materials within the facility, then are weighed again as they exit. The difference in weight is calculated and used to charge the customer.

Trash is then fed into a massive two-stage furnace, where it is burned at extremely high temperatures. The primary furnace reaches 1,300° Fahrenheit while the secondary furnace often exceeds 1,800° F. This intense heat not only reduces the volume of waste by approximately 90% but also generates steam, which is used to power a turbine and generate electricity. Approximately half of this electricity is sold to a neighboring cheese factory, which utilizes it to power their daily operations as one of the largest blue cheese processors in the world. The remaining energy is used to sustain the incinerator plant itself, and the rest is sold back to the grid to power thousands of homes and businesses.

Making a Difference in the Region

While the concept of burning trash might raise environmental concerns for some, the Barron County incinerator operates under strict environmental regulations. The facility is subject to regular inspections and monitoring by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art air pollution control devices to minimize emissions. These devices remove pollutants such as particulate matter, heavy metals and acid gases from the exhaust stream. In addition to air pollution control, the facility also employs measures to protect water quality. The ash generated from the incineration process is carefully managed and disposed of in a lined landfill to prevent any leaching of contaminants into the groundwater.

The Barron County incinerator not only offers a reliable and cost-effective solution for waste disposal, reducing the county’s reliance on landfills, it creates jobs in the community. The incinerator also serves as an educational resource, hosting tours for schools and community groups to learn about waste-to-energy technology and sustainable waste management practices.

Like any industrial facility, the Barron County incinerator faces its share of challenges. Along with the ongoing need to maintain and upgrade the facility to ensure its continued efficiency and environmental performance, another challenge is the need to address public concerns. While the facility operates under strict environmental regulations, incinerating trash is often misunderstood and assumed to contribute to air pollution. However, through new technology and extensive emission controls, very little pollution is generated. “Most people assume our smokestacks are emitting pollution,” Bohn explains, “but it’s just steam generated by the massive amount of heat we use. Incinerating at high temperatures is actually far more environmentally friendly than using landfills.”