Educational Resources

Industry Research

There are many great resources available detailing the benefits and successes of waste-to-energy facilities.

General

“Diversion of all MSW from landfills to WTE plants could result in reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of waste management in the U.S. by at least 123 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (2.1% of U.S. total greenhouse gas emissions), comparable to the annual emissions of over 23 million cars.” - Earth Engineering Center

Renewable

"Governments at all levels have called for increased use of renewable energy, including waste-to-energy, in order to develop homegrown energy sources, establish energy independence, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions." - Energy Recovery Council

Climate Change

“Both energy from waste and recycling and composting efforts are a win-win-win for the United States. 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.” - Center for American Progress

Recycling

"Communities using waste-to-energy have recycling rates that are slightly above the national average and above the aggregate recycling rate of the states in which they operate. Therefore, it can be concluded that recycling and waste-to-energy are compatible waste management strategies. They form part of a successful, integrated waste management approach in many communities across the United States." - Eileen Berenyi, Governmental Advisory Associates

Economics

“The waste-to-energy sector provides significant economic value in the communities in which these facilities operate. In addition to the revenues generated by the sector, waste-to-energy facilities provide stable, long-term, well-paying jobs, while simultaneously pumping dollars into local economies through the purchase of local goods and services and the payment of fees and taxes.” - Eileen Berenyi, Governmental Advisory Associates