Sept. 21
The U.S. EPA has released a report outlining the potential for reducing greenhouse gases that can be achieved through recycling, waste reduction, smart growth, and redeveloping brownfields.
"Opportunities to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Materials and Land Management Practices" finds that 42% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are influenced by materials management policies. This includes the impacts from extracting raw materials, food processing and manufacturing, transporting, and disposing of products.
Another 16% to 20% of emissions are associated with land management policies, according to the report. That includes emissions from passenger transportation, construction, and from lost vegetation when greenfields are cleared for development.
Reducing unnecessary packaging, increasing recycling and using brownfields for renewable energy development also can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to the EPA report, which is available at www.epa.gov/oswer/publication.htm.
Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Bruce Geiselman at 330-865-6172 or bgeiselman@crain.com
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