Waste-to-value, a form of circular economy, is the process of generating value in the form of materials from the primary treatment of waste, or the processing of waste into a fuel source. As humans produce more waste, innovative ways of using it to create value will be crucial.

Waste-to-Energy processes began to replace incineration in the 1970s, improving waste management systems through a large reduction in the volume of waste transported and disposed of in landfills. Many WTE processes are still key elements of urban waste disposal systems and suppliers of power for local households and businesses.

Renewable electricity is generated through natural processes that replenish constantly. Electricity can be generated from solar power, hydropower, biomass, geothermal energy sources, and others. As public sentiment toward traditional energy sources like coal worsens, renewable electricity generation is poised to grow exponentially in the coming decades.

A crucial step toward realizing a renewable energy future is effective energy storage. Whether storing energy derived from natural sources or from hydrogen, energy must be stored properly and in a way that mitigates intermittency issues. Energy must be stored effectively and efficiently in order to allow for further deployment of green energy systems.

Sustainable agriculture holds the promise of meeting the world’s food and textile demand in energy-efficient and sustainable ways. With an advanced knowledge of a variety of ecosystems, sustainable agriculture experts are able to combat a global food crisis with production methods and technologies that seek to minimize negative environmental impacts while generating a positive return on investments.

In countries with economic prosperity, there is growing consumer awareness of, and interest in, sustainable food products. New growing, harvesting, and packaging methods have allowed for significant advances in the sustainable agriculture industry. Changing consumer behavior and interest in alternative food sources — due in part to health and environmental concerns as well as animal welfare — have made way for growth.

New materials and packaging methods have opened the door to making the materials industry more energy efficient. Composite materials offer the promise of stronger materials at a lower cost than that of traditional manufacturing materials like wood and steel. Innovative packaging methods promise to make the $900 billion revenue packaging industry more sustainable in the future.

Sustainable building materials are used throughout the consumer and industrial industries to build without depleting value resources.

Smart cities make use of advanced technologies to make urban environments more energy efficient, cleaner, and more accommodating.

Buildings produce approximately 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Using proper benchmarking and innovative technologies, buildings can drive down that percentage.

Industrial companies can improve their energy performances through the adoption of novel methods and through innovative solutions to long-lived problems.

Hydrogen is one of the cleanest and most abundant sources of energy. If harnessed properly, hydrogen has the potential to offer very clean energy to all aspects of the transportation sector.

Although the distant future may see a world powered entirely by carbon-free renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, technological and infrastructural constraints currently make for a world still reliant on fossil fuels. Consequently, before fossil fuels are entirely phased out, the opportunity to make these fuels less carbon intensive exists.

Proper water management controls the movement of water resources to minimize damage to life and property and to maximize efficient beneficial use.

Nearly 1 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water, and about 1 million people die every year from waterborne diseases. Proper water treatment allows for safe drinking water and the reduction of wastewater from damaged ecosystems.