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National, State and Local Efforts
Related Links
Near-Term Reduction Initiatives
Landfill Methane Outreach Program
State and Local Clean Energy Programs
EPA is working in conjunction with agencies at all levels of government to reduce waste-related greenhouse gas emissions. Some of these actions are described below.
- How are EPA's waste programs addressing global climate change?
- What activities are states undertaking to reduce or measure greenhouse gas reductions related to solid waste
- Where can I find information on technology and policy options for states wishing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions?
- Where can I find more information on state actions related to climate change
- What activities are local governments undertaking to reduce or measure greenhouse gas reductions related to solid waste?
How are EPA's waste programs addressing global climate change?
Waste prevention and recycling can make a significant contribution to reducing our nation's greenhouse gas emissions. By 2012, EPA expects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20.5 Million Metric Tons Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (MMTCO2E) through specific waste prevention and recycling programs. These reductions are the equivalent to taking more than 4 million cars off the road for one year. To achieve these reductions, EPA supports a number of programs, including:
- WasteWise. WasteWise is a voluntary partnership between EPA and U.S. businesses; federal, tribal, state, and local governments; and institutions to prevent waste, recycle, and buy and manufacture products made with recycled materials. Presently, more than 1,200 organizations participate in the WasteWise program.
- Pay-As-You-Throw Programs. EPA provides technical and outreach assistance to encourage communities to implement pay-as-you-throw systems for managing solid waste. With pay-as-you-throw, residents are charged based on the amount of waste they discard. This system creates an incentive for residents to generate less trash and recycle more. Currently, over 5,000 pay-as-you-throw communities exist in the United States. On average, communities with pay-as-you-throw see waste reductions of 14 to 27 percent.
Currently, more than 50 separate initiatives exist, including WasteWise, that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through waste reduction and recycling. Visit the U.S. Climate Policy section and the Current and Near-Term Greenhouse Gas Reduction Initiatives page for more information about U.S. actions to address climate change.
What activities are the states undertaking to reduce and/or measure greenhouse gas reductions related to solid waste?
State and local governments play an important role in meeting the national goal of reducing greenhouse gas intensity by 18 percent by 2012. Many states demonstrate their commitment to the environment by tracking their greenhouse gas emissions and developing plans to reduce them.
40 states and territories have completed greenhouse gas emission inventories. In addition, 29 states and territories have completed climate change action plans. Five of the state plans alone have identified strategies that could collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 125 MMTCO2E, or 2 percent of projected U.S. emissions in 2010, while saving over $600 million per year. For more information about GHG emission reduction opportunities at the state level, visit EPA's State and Local Clean Energy Programs site.
Where can I find information on technology and policy options for states wishing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions?
States across the nation have been evaluating different policies and technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. EPA has compiled these options into a database so that state decision makers can obtain information on the types of actions being considered or implemented by other states. Users can search the State Actions Database by keyword, state, sector, or policy type.
Where can I find more information on state actions related to climate change?
Numerous government, private, and nonprofit programs exist that have sought cost-effective options to mitigate climate change. Visit the State and Local Government page of the What You Can Do section and EPA's State and Local Clean Energy Programs site for more information.
What activities are individual cities undertaking to reduce and/or measure greenhouse gas reductions related to solid waste?
Some of the efforts focusing on cities
and counties are being coordinated by the International Council for Local
Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), a nongovernmental environmental organization
supporting local authorities. ICLEI provides support to cities and counties
that have joined the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Program. More than
280 municipalities worldwide participate in the CCP Program, 60 of which are
U.S. cities and counties. In joining the CCP Program, municipalities offer
local commitment to identify and implement cost-effective practices to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, especially in buildings, transportation, and waste
management. Visit the ICLEI web site for additional information about the
CCP Program. 