Local investment in waste-to-energy, recycling, and landfill methane capturing programs have not only increased recycling rates and created new energy sources, it has also greatly reduced the amount of greenhouse gases that would have been emitted for the past 25 years.

Maria Zannes, President of the Integrated Waste Services Association, Washington D.C., presented further evidence that local recycling and improved emission control programs have reduced green house gas emissions, despite quantities of municipal solid waste doubling. Ms. Zannes has worked with Susan Thornloe, a senior researcher at USEPA's Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle, North Carolina, who has developed a computer tool designed to help decision-makers analyze various solid waste technologies and systems. The tool can be used on a site-specific basis to calculate green house gas emissions and elevate costs and identify new opportunities. Ms. Zannes concluded if technology from the 1970's were still in use, green house gas emissions would be four times larger than they are at present. For a copy of the full presentation, please see our web site at www.usmayors.org/mwma.