But it does more than that. Every ton of MSW can liberate the methane equivalent of 4.5 gallons of diesel fuel, while each ton of sewage sludge can liberate the equivalent of 9 gallons of diesel. If we consider that the United States generates nearly 400 million tons of MSW yearly, and at least an equal amount of sewage sludge, it becomes obvious that we are wasting an enormous amount of potential energy. If we process sewage sludge and other organic waste anaerobically it will become a valuable asset rather than an expensive problem. What we must do is insist that our government outlaw the burial of organic waste entirely.
Burial is enormously expensive, wasteful of resources, and a peril to the environment.
Methane produced through anaerobic processing can be used to generate electricity or to fuel vehicles, thus slowing down the accumulation of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere. By harnessing the natural recycling of organic matter, and using less fossil fuel we can do much to slow global warming. Virtually 100 percent of sewage sludge and farm waste is recoverable using this method, while each ton of MSW can be reduced by as much as 90 percent. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip exea ommodo consequat.