ClimateJuly 17, 2026
incinerator
/ɪnˈsɪnəreɪtər/
Definition
An industrial facility designed to burn waste materials at high temperatures, often to generate electricity or district heating.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin verb 'incinerare,' meaning 'to turn to ashes,' which is formed from 'in-' (into) and 'cinis' (ash). The term evolved into English in the mid-19th century to describe equipment used for the systematic burning of trash.
In the news
The article mentions incinerators as 'waste-to-energy' plants that will be included in the updated EU carbon pricing scheme. This inclusion is significant because these facilities will now face stricter emissions regulations alongside other heavy industries.
Brussels set to axe 2039 net-zero industry target
Read the full article ↗euractiv.com