The American Chemistry Council has released a new video that provides a quick overview and some compelling statistics about the benefits of recovering energy from waste.
“Don’t Trash Our Energy” explains that energy recovery is happening right now in 86 facilities in 25 states across the U.S. and that emerging technologies in this area could help build a more sustainable energy future.
Recovering energy from the nation’s non-recycled trash has the potential to produce at least enough energy to power more than 16 million homes a year and add $9 billion to the U.S. economy. In addition to powering our communities, modern energy recovery technologies can reduce greenhouse gases and contribute significantly to local economies.
To capitalize on these benefits, we need federal, state and local officials to help remove barriers and begin seeing municipal solid waste as a valuable energy resource by:
Broadening definitions of “renewable energy” and “clean energy”
Simplifying state permitting processes
Including energy recovery in recycling and diversion goals
Diversifying government purchases of energy to include and
Developing an “all of the above” energy strategy.