Ending waste-to-energy is the right thing for Ames
Recent changes to the waste stream in Ames has some residents feeling unsettled. The Ames Climate Action Team has been following and advocating for these changes and we are here to educate residents about them. The waste-to-energy (WTE) system is outdated and no longer competes with more affordable energy sources such as wind, solar, and purchasing directly from the marketplace. Currently, the City burns 90% natural gas and 10% waste to generate a mere 3.55% of power generation. In 2025, the City spent 20% of its utility budget on natural gas to burn our waste when it could have cut costs and reduced our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by purchasing energy from the grid.
An end to WTE is long overdue but it does not mean an end to resource recovery in Ames. With the new facility being built, reuse and recycling will be expanded. Since we are partnering with Carroll County to landfill our waste effective July 2027, the emphasis will be on reducing the amount of waste in our waste stream. About 58% of methane gas emissions from municipal solid waste landfills can be attributed to food waste. This emphasizes the importance for the City, and its residents, to divert food waste from the waste stream by composting and reducing waste whenever possible…