Center for American Progress Says WTE Reduces GHG

The Center for American Progress, a well respected think tank in Washington, DC, recently published a white paper entitled, "Energy From Waste Can Help Curb Greenhouse Gas Emissions," in which it relates the myriad environmental benefits associated with waste-to-energy.  The paper, written by Matt Kasper, lays out the importance of waste-to-energy in promoting sustainable waste management and clean renewable energy.  Kasper notes EPA research that shows for every ton of garbage processed at a waste-to-energy facility, approximately one ton of emitted carbon-dioxide equivalent in the atmosphere is prevented.  The United States is missing a large opportunity to improve its greenhouse footprint by not increasing demand for waste-to-energy.  As the report concludes, "Both energy from waste and recycling and composting efforts are a win-win-win for the United States."  The report adds that "EfW generates clean electricity, decreases greenhouse gases that would have been emitted from landfills and fossil-fuel power plants, and pairs well with increased recycling rates in states."