Sustainable materials management

When you think about renewable energy in waste management, the first thing that comes to mind is biogas. But how can material recovery facilities, haulers, and composters use green energy if they aren't producing it in an aerobic digester? Thanks to the growing affordability of solar panels, the answer could be staring us in the face every day: The sun, of course.

The EPA Waste Reduction Model (WARM) is an indispensable tool for municipal leaders, waste-management professionals, environmental engineers, and other stakeholders in localized sustainable materials management systems. More to the point, WARM helps decision-makers predict the strategies that most reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

It isn't easy to run a truly green sports facility. You have to find ways to use less water without killing the grass on the field. You have to convert to energy-efficient lighting. You might even have to choose new vendors with a focus on environmentally friendly products.