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

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