Smart Cities Dive Article on Reducing Landfill Emissions Highlights HDR Climate Action Research

HDR research analyzing 20 regional climate action plans in North America was featured in a Smart Cities Dive article about prioritizing organics to reduce landfill emissions. Citing the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the article highlights waste as the largest methane-producing sector, with landfills producing more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually. Impending EPA grants may be a key to kickstarting organics programs in the U.S.

Following EPA’s waste management hierarchy, HDR categorized nearly 300 waste actions discovered in the climate action plans. Organics management was the only category found in all 20 plans, accounting for about 30% of all waste climate actions. The research indicates local governments are actively identifying opportunities to lower waste sector emissions.