While the landfill byproduct methane gas can be collected and used for fuel, it appears that it seldom is. (I'd be interested to see a statistic about how many landfills do collect and reuse the methane.)  At best, as I understand it, the methane is burned off by the landfill operator.  So, no reuse happening there. I always thought that landfills should have a methane distribution station and sell or give away the byproduct to residents. I hate to see anything useable go to waste. It is nice to see that closed landfill area (if safe) is being repurposed as parks.

Doesn't it seem that repurposing byproducts (as natural gas, biofuel, etc.) is a no-brainer? Seems that any such program deserves even more focus and study.

As for incinerators, and coal-fired power plants for that matter, their success (or lack of detriment) is largely focused on the scrubbers used to "clean" the exhaust, right?. In our highly-technological society, is it really that tricky to improve that?  

Solid waste has always been a subject of interest, which I have had too little time to fully explore (beyond just personally generating less).  I would like to see more info on Grist about this.

Whoa, an awesome way to take care of a lot of waste is being overlooked. Composting! Lots of your household waste can be converted into rich, usable soil which people will actually pay money for. This is certainly environmentally preferable!

i would like to join lyrivyzy`s opinion: my grfandfather back in Hungary is running his own little recycle-return energie cycle...and it is working!! compost from household trash, human and animal waste is fantastic for his organic vegtable and fruit garden.the most amazing apricots and grapes are there in my grandparent`s backyard...for free and environmental friendly. americans have a long way to go. Europe is like 50 years ahead concerning preserving mother nature!!

Europe is like 50 years ahead concerning preserving mother nature!!

And I'll give you two good reasons why:
They don't love urban sprawl like we do.  "Sure, just toss that anywhere, there's plenty of land to go around!  If we need more, we'll just knock down that forest."  Aside from the homes of the rich and famous, most European houses would be miniscule by American standards.
They're not nearly as obsessed as we are about keeping up appearances.  I've heard more than a few stories of neighbors who recently decided that clotheslines are an eyesore.  Yet these same people see clotheslines hanging in an alley in Paris, and they take pictures because "it's so quaint."