Modeling and forecasting municipal solid waste generation in the US energy supply

This paper describes an economic and statistical approach to modeling and forecasting municipal solid waste generation in the US energy supply. It begins with a discussion of the historical developments in the waste to energy industry over the last 25 years. Then a model is developed to provide energy policy makers with an analytical framework for understanding the relationships between the solid waste industry and the waste to energy industry. The model is tested empirically using data at the national level. The model’s forecasts are compared with projections made by the US Environmental Protection Agency.