Waste
Most people don’t realize that solid waste reduction and recycling help address global climate change. How? The manufacture, distribution and use of products – as well as management of the resulting waste – all result in greenhouse gas emissions. Waste prevention and recycling reduce greenhouse gases associated with these activities by reducing methane emissions, saving energy, and increasing forest carbon sequestration. The links below provide more detailed information on greenhouse gas emissions from waste and what you can do.
- Basic Information
This section provides general information on the links between waste and greenhouse gas emissions; how to measure greenhouse gas emissions from waste; and federal, state and local efforts to address climate change through management and reduction of solid waste. - Publications
Find reports, papers, presentations, fact sheets, case studies, activities for kids and more, all dealing with the connections between waste and greenhouse gases. - Tools
EPA and its partners have developed tools to help individuals and organizations determine the greenhouse gas impacts of their purchasing, manufacturing and waste management actions. - Stakeholder Success Stories
EPA has established several voluntary programs to provide technical assistance to companies that want to reduce their waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Links and examples of innovative greenhouse gas partnerships forged through WasteWise and other voluntary programs are presented in this section.