The Christian Science Monitor published an article highlighting the Fishing for Energy program, which is a partnership among Covanta Energy waste-to-energy facilities, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Schnitzer Steel.  Along the Northeast coast, seven ports in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island have been outfitted with 40-cubic-yard dumpsters where fishermen can dispose of their used gear free of charge.  Once the dumpsters are full, the gear is transported to a nearby recycling facility where metals are removed from crab pots and lobster traps, and nets and ropes are sheared for easier disposal.  The gear is then sent to a Covanta waste-to-energy facility where the waste is converted to electricity.  Each ton of fishing gear is able to generate enough electricity to power one home for 25 days, estimates Paul Gilman, chief sustainability officer for Covanta Energy Corp.

The Fishing for Energy program is another fine example of the ability of waste-to-energy to recover valuable energy and materials from items commonly considered "waste".