The statistics are shocking: Humans produce over 2 billion tons of waste annually, with a projected 45% increase in municipal waste over the next 25 years. Yet surprisingly, only 13% of urban waste is converted into energy, while 80% of landfill contents could potentially be recycled or composted. In Part 1 of Landfills, Jorden and Kimberly consider the sophisticated management of modern landfills.

Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include:

• The profitable side of waste management


• Innovative waste-to-energy technologies


• Successful municipal initiatives making a difference


• Cultural differences in waste handling between North America and Europe


• How landfills can power vehicles

Recommended Resources

• An armchair landfill visit video


• The EPA’s Municipal Solid Waste requirements


• The UN’s Municipal Solid Waste report


• The EPA’s waste data


• The UNEP’s waste report


• Criticisms of Waste-to-Energy conversion


• Kimberly’s Substack newsletter post