"One person's junk is another person's treasure." It's something I heard a lot growing up. Meaning just because you no longer want it, doesn't mean that the item won't mean a lot to someone else. The implication, of course, was meant towards used furniture or perhaps donating clothing. But how about literally turning someones junk, or garbage, into a necessity - energy?
(Remember - energy cannot be created or destroyed - it can only change forms.)
Yep, your dirty tissue, mismatched sock, even that nasty old ______.
So who thinks your husbands old gym sock is a treasure? The people of Northern Europe! According to the
NYT "
Across Northern Europe, where the practice of burning garbage to generate heat and electricity has exploded in recent decades, demand for trash far outstrips supply. "
They are even running short on garbage. The plants have stated they might even take some from the United States because sea transport is cheap enough.
Can you imagine the US turning our landfills into energy? What turning the garbage at the curb into energy to run your TV?
The good news is all electricity that comes into your home smells the same. It doesn't matter if it's made from garbage or from walking or if you buy it from your
utility or an
energy supplier like
IDT Energy. It all smells and works the same.
Looking for more energy fun fact? Check out the
IDT Energy Pinterest!
