Solid waste is the trash that goes to the landfill. Part of what is thrown away is organic waste, such as paper products, food waste, and yard trimmings. These materials cause methane emissions when they break down in the landfill, though all the landfills that Fort Collins' waste is taken to now have gas collection systems that reduce the amount of methane that's released to the atmosphere. These emissions represent about 2% of the community’s emissions and are best reduced by reuse, recycling, and composting – important actions that will help the City reach its Climate Action and Road to Zero Waste goals.
