In its latest issue, The Atlantic reported on a new waste management system that’s coming to New York City’s $20 billion Hudson Yards project. When complete, the Manhattan development – set to house 5,000 apartments and six skyscrapers – will boast a pneumatic tubes system that’ll help sort trash, recyclables and compost for its residents.

It’s a great example of how smart technology can cut down on waste in landfills. In light of the Hudson Yards plan, the reporter compiled other top examples in the future of waste management technology. We’re happy to say, anaerobic digestion made the cut because of its ability to break down and repurpose organic waste into green energy.

The agricultural industry was among the first to adopt anaerobic digestion as a way to turn animal manure into biogas. Farmers could power their own facilities this way, essentially going off the grid, and even supply clean energy to other nearby developments. But that’s really just the beginning.

Restaurants, grocery stores, businesses and even municipalities could benefit from anaerobic digestion. According to The Atlantic article, Michigan State University is using two digesters to process food waste from its dining halls and turn it into electricity for the campus. Just think of the possibilities!

Rather than filling up the world’s already maxed-out landfills, we could use anaerobic digestion and the power of garbage to create electricity, healthier and more nutrient-rich soil, fuel (in the form of compressed natural gas), and reclaimed water for irrigation.

Read the full story on TheAtlantic.com: How to Stop Humans from Filling the World with Trash.