Do waste-to-energy facilities compete with recycling programs?
No. In fact, in Montgomery County and in hundreds of communities across the country, waste-to-energy has proved compatible with recycling. Glass and metals have no energy value and absorb energy which could otherwise go towards making steam or electricity. Some of the highest recycling rates in the U.S. are found in communities with waste-to-energy facilities. Montgomery County currently recycles more than 43% of its waste before going to the Resource Recovery Facility, and we are working to reach a goal of 50% by the year 2010.
