Reducing Landfill Carbon Emissions: Vegas’ Garbage Gamble Pays Off | Overview

Examine the environmental challenges posed by food waste and the methane gas emissions that result in this video about Las Vegas, Nevada, home to one of the largest landfills and recycling centers in North America. By engaging with the video and responding to guiding questions, students will analyze innovative solutions and partnerships that provide economic benefits for city residents and local farmers. Students will also reflect on the importance of reducing waste, the role of technology in sustainability, and the broader implications of landfill innovation for environmental and economic systems.

This lesson encourages systems thinking, real-world connections, and a focus on the future.

About the Author

Jody Cook is a passionate science educator with 22 years of secondary teaching experience. She holds a master’s degree in education from Indiana Wesleyan University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Eastern Illinois University. Cook lives on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Her love for science inspires her belief that transformative education can spark lifelong curiosity and meaningful change.