NCSU online tool helps systems manage solid waste
LEADERS DEVELOPED LAND AND
CONTROL COSTS.
>> BOOMING GROWTH MAKES IT MORE
OF A CHALLENGE.
WHILE EXPERTS ARE SHARING
IDEAS, CONSUMERS PLAY A MAJOR
ROLE.
>> THIS IS THE OLD NORTHWICK
LANDFILL WHICH CLOSED IN 2008.
>> Reporter: JAMES S SAYS THIS
MOUNTAIN OF WASTE IS NOW SAFELY
CAPPED AND SEALED.
BUT, STILL VERY ACTIVE.
>> THAT IS WHERE THEY ARE STILL
COLLECTING AND MANAGING THEIR
GAS.
>> Reporter: THE METHANE GAS
PRODUCED BY THE LANDFILL, MUCH
COMING FROM FOOD WASTE, CAN BE
RETRIEVED AND CONVERTED TO
ELECTRICITY, BUT THERE IS A
BIGGER ISSUE.
>> TRYING TO FIND DIFFERENT
WAYS BESIDES LANDFILLING,
BECAUSE CITING A LANDFILL IS
HARD.
>> Reporter: AS POPULATIONS
GROW, MANAGING ALL SORTS OF
WASTES REDUCING CARBON
EMISSIONS GROW MORE
CHALLENGING.
THAT IS WHY NC STATE ENGINEERS
DEVELOPED A NEW ONLINE TOOL
CALLED WOLF PIE.
>> IT IS THE SOLID WASTE
OPTIMIZATION LIFECYCLE
FRAMEWORK IN PYTHON.
>> Reporter: THE COMPUTER
FRAMEWORK THAT HELPS DECISION-
MAKERS CONTROL COSTS AND MANAGE
SOLID WASTE.
>> OTHER RESEARCHERS CAN ADD
DATA TO IT SO IT BECOMES A
BETTER TOOL AND GROWS AS MORE
WORK IS DONE WITH IT.
>> Reporter: AS EXPERTS LOOK
FOR BIG SOLUTIONS, LEAVITT SAYS
THEY CANNOT FORGET CONSUMERS,
WHO MAY NOT COMPOST OR SEPARATE
RECYCLABLES.
>> IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS,
WHERE EDUCATION, AND PERHAPS A
FLYER COULD DO MORE THAN A $10