Municipal solid waste generation is a growing problem in America, with the average American producing over 2 kg of trash per day. Most waste consists of non-biodegradable materials like plastic and packaging (70%) and contains toxic chemicals. Landfills are polluting soil and water sources due to improper management and lack of space. One solution is waste-to-energy plants, which reduce landfill space needs while generating electricity. Building new waste-to-energy facilities would cost $420 million initially but save over $1 billion annually in waste management and transportation costs compared to traditional landfilling. Individuals can help by reducing, reusing, and recycling to create less waste.