Recycling, waste–to–energy to play an important part in reducing CO2

More recycling and waste-to-energy programmes will reduce net greenhouse gas emissions. This is the conclusion of three recently published studies. A new briefing released by the European Environment Agency (EEA) states that: "Increased recovery of waste and diverting waste away from landfill play a key role in tackling the environmental impacts of increasing waste volumes. As recycling and incineration with energy recovery are increasingly used, net greenhouse gas emissions from municipal waste management are expected to drop considerably by 2020." Also a recent study by �kopol calculated that further 89 million tonnes of CO2equ could be saved per year assuming a recycling scenario of 50% + for municipal waste together with an increase in the average incineration rate to 25% (from 18% in 2005). This scenario is based on a reduction of landfilling to 22% (from 45% in 2005) in EU 27.