CleanTech Biofuels, Inc. (CLTH.OB) is taking a step at reducing the amount of waste communities dispose of into landfills. From the 250 million tons of garbage American produce annually, about 14% is burned at combustion facilities while 32% are composted or recycled. Rather than placing the remaining 54% of municipal solid waste (MSW) directly into landfills, CleanTech has a set of technologies that is capable of converting the cellulosic material in MSW into locally produced biofuels. One main element of the process is CleanTech’s Pressurized Stem Classification (PSC) technology that separates and cleans the usable material.

MSW consists of a variety of waste material from air conditioners to yard waste to aluminum cans. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, 50 to 60 percent of MSW is made of cellulosic material that can be converted into usable biofuels. Currently, the only operating waste-to-energy

“Waste-to-energy plants are a popular means of disposing of garbage while creating electricity,” says Paul Tracy in StreetAuthority Market Advisor,, he looks at Covanta:

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“Some trash is combustible and can be burned to produce heat. That heat can be used to produce steam to drive a turbine and generate power.

“About 12.5% of U.S. municipal solid waste — general household and commercial garbage — is disposed of in waste-to-energy facilities.

“This process has two main benefits. First, burning garbage reduces the volume of trash that ultimately must be sent to the landfill. Landfill capacity is always limited, especially in certain geographic areas of the U.S., so saving space can make a big difference.

“Secondly, the electricity generated can be sold to local utilities. Typically, waste management firms that convert waste into energy receive a percentage of profits from the sale.

“Covanta is the global leader in the waste-to-energy business

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IT’S AN OLD ADAGE THAT one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, but these days, one man’s trash is another one’s electricity. Covanta Holding is at the forefront of the waste-to-energy industry.

With skyrocketing fuel prices, increasing worldwide concern over climate change and overflowing landfills, Covanta is positioned to see strong growth in both domestic and international markets.

It couldn’t come at a better time for the Fairfield, N.J.-based company, which owns landfills and energy generation plants, the majority of which are waste-to-energy facilities. Covanta incinerates garbage to produce electricity for towns and municipalities.

After paying off a number of capital-intensive plants, Covanta now owns debt-free assets, which, in addition to beefing up the bottom line, will increase its borrowing power. Combined with a 9% free cash flow yield, the company is free to