U.S. Waste Sector Emissions Flat in 2024 While Overall Emissions Edge Up 0.2%

Context The University of Maryland’s Center for Global Sustainability released a report that mirrors the EPA’s annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks inventory, which has been produced since 1998. The analysis relies on a two‑year lag, meaning 2024 figures reflect data collected through 2022 and processed with the same methods the EPA uses. Total U.S. net emissions in 2024 reached 6,205.3 million metric tons of CO₂e, according to the report.

Key Facts Waste sector emissions totaled 166 million metric tons of CO₂e in 2024, essentially the same as the previous year. Methane from landfills accounted for 119.4 million metric tons of CO₂e, showing no change from 2023. Methane from wastewater treatment fell slightly from 21.2 to 21.0 million metric tons of CO₂e. Nitrous oxide emissions across the waste sector rose to 23 million metric tons of CO₂e, driven by population growth and higher protein intake. Net methane from stand‑alone anaerobic digesters was 12,020 metric tons of CO₂e. Over the longer term, waste sector emissions have declined since 1990, largely due to improved landfill gas capture, but the 2024 flat trend marks a pause in that downward trajectory. Overall U.S. net emissions have fallen about 3.8% since 1990, primarily from reduced fossil‑fuel combustion.

What It Means The steadiness in waste emissions suggests that recent gains in landfill gas collection may be offset by rising nitrous oxide from wastewater and composting activities. While the waste sector’s share of total emissions remains small—under 3%—its stagnation contrasts with the modest rise in economy‑wide emissions. The Environmental Defense Fund emphasized that the GHG inventory is a science‑based data collection, not a political issue, underscoring the value of consistent reporting for climate policy.

What to watch next Monitor whether the EPA resumes work on the 2026 GHG Emissions and Sinks report and how any changes to the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program affect future waste sector data.