Japan to boost power generation from waste, end dumping in landfills

TOKYO — The Environment Ministry decided Monday to boost annual power generation from waste by 50% over the next five years through fiscal 2012 as well as abolish direct dumping into landfills as part of its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ministry officials said.

By expanding waste power generation, the ministry aims to reduce the use of fossil fuels such as petroleum. Under the method, electricity can be produced with the heat from the incineration of waste, and no carbon dioxide will be newly emitted just for the power generation.

JapanToday.