Which method of waste management involves burning substances?

Incineration is the method of waste management that involves burning substances. This process is designed to reduce the volume of waste material and can also generate energy in the form of heat, which can be used to produce electricity. During incineration, waste is subjected to high temperatures, resulting in combustion that minimizes the mass and volume of the original waste while converting it into ash, gases, and heat.

The advantages of incineration include its ability to significantly decrease the amount of waste sent to landfills and provide a means of energy recovery. Additionally, modern incineration facilities are equipped with pollution control technologies to manage harmful emissions, making them more environmentally friendly compared to older facilities.

In contrast, recycling focuses on collecting and processing materials to make new products, while landfilling involves disposing of waste in designated areas, typically underground. Dumping generally refers to the uncontrolled disposal of waste without appropriate measures for environmental protection. Each of these methods has its own environmental implications, but burning substances specifically pertains to incineration.