How FIVE BILLION Pounds of Las Vegas Garbage Powers a City | Overview
PBS Terra・7 minutes read
Americans produce nearly 600 billion pounds of waste annually, with Las Vegas generating over five billion pounds yearly at the Apex Landfill, while the city also boasts a state-of-the-art recycling center and innovative waste repurposing initiatives.
Insights
- Americans produce a staggering 600 billion pounds of waste annually, highlighting the immense environmental impact of individual consumption habits on a national scale.
- Las Vegas showcases innovative waste management practices, from repurposing food waste for livestock feed to converting methane emissions into renewable energy, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and resource efficiency in handling waste.
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Recent questions
How much waste do Americans produce daily?
4.9 pounds per person per day
What is the size of the landfill's working face?
2-3 acres
How much waste does Las Vegas generate annually?
Over five billion pounds
How much trash does the landfill receive daily?
Up to 16 million pounds
How much food waste do Vegas buffets repurpose daily?
Up to 40,000 pounds
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Summary
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"Las Vegas Waste: Landfill, Recycling, Repurposing"
- Americans produce 4.9 pounds of waste per person per day, totaling nearly 600 billion pounds annually.
- Las Vegas generates over five billion pounds of waste yearly, with the Apex Landfill being one of the largest in North America, operating 24/7 and receiving up to 16 million pounds of waste daily.
- The landfill's working face, where garbage is compacted, covers 2-3 acres, with each truck dumping around 30 tons of trash.
- The landfill's height increases as more waste arrives, with a mining company expanding its footprint, allowing it to accept trash for over 300 years.
- Las Vegas has a top-tier recycling center handling up to 1.8 million pounds of recyclables daily, utilizing advanced sorting machines and quality control measures.
- Food waste from Vegas buffets is repurposed at the Las Vegas Livestock Farm, feeding hogs up to 40,000 pounds of food scraps daily, while the landfill converts methane emissions into energy powering 11,000 homes in Southern Nevada.
