Diverting waste would also cut 14.1million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year - equivalent to emissions from 2.7million homes.

An award-winning waste management programme, introduced in 2008, has diverted waste from landfill through increased recycling.

From 1979 to 1993 the facility burned refuse derived fuel, diverting waste from the local landfill and generating electricity with it.

The companys operations offset the production of approximately 20 million tons of carbon dioxide annually by producing electricity without utilizing fossil-fuel and by diverting waste from landfills.

This program was initially designed to assist state employees to select hotels that were conserving water and energy, diverting waste from landfills, and providing cleaner air while they were traveling.