Transforming Waste into Resources for a Climate-Resilient Future
The Global Waste-to-Energy Research and Technology Council – WtERT® is the international academic network advancing the recovery of energy and materials from residual, non-recyclable waste. This is the future of Waste-to-X, where waste becomes a resource: powering energy, fuels, chemicals, and new circular solutions.
Founded by the Earth Engineering Center of Columbia University, our aim is to unite top universities and research institutions across continents to advance sustainable waste management. Today, the global leadership of WtERT® is jointly stewarded by Columbia University and the College of Energy Engineering at Zhejiang University.
WtERT® provides trusted, science-based knowledge to governments, international organizations, and industry; grounded in peer-reviewed research and deep technical expertise. We are united by a shared mission: to build a circular, low-carbon economy by applying the best available technologies for post-recycling waste management.
We are a global knowledge hub, advancing innovation at the intersection of academia, policy, and technology: to accelerate climate action and resilience worldwide.

Our Global Mission at a Glance
Global Research Network
WtERT® connects researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers across 30+ countries to advance Waste-to-Energy + X science and best practices.
Sustainable Waste Solutions
We promote the safe recovery of energy and materials from residual waste, driving circular economy models and reducing methane emissions.
Trusted Knowledge Hub
Our global database of peer-reviewed articles, white papers, and WtE data empowers informed, climate-smart decision-making.
Education & Academic Training
Through courses, workshops, and partnerships with leading universities, WtERT® advances academic and professional education in sustainable waste management.
Explore Our Global Knowledge Hub
Explore cutting-edge research published in Waste Disposal & Sustainable Energy, WtERT’s official peer-reviewed journal, co-published by Springer and Zhejiang University Press.
It is the exclusive academic publishing platform of the WtERT global network, advancing sustainable waste management and low-carbon technologies worldwide.
- Fly ash and zero-valent iron-based in situ advanced anaerobic digestion with emphasis on the removal of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes from sewage sludgeReda Kabbaj2025-06-10T15:46:21-04:00
Fly ash and zero-valent iron-based in situ advanced anaerobic digestion with emphasis on the removal of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes from sewage sludge
- Biohydrogen production and its bioeconomic impact: a reviewReda Kabbaj2025-06-10T15:22:11-04:00
Biohydrogen production and its bioeconomic impact: a review
- Low-carbon stabilization/solidification of municipal solid waste incineration fly ashReda Kabbaj2025-06-10T15:14:35-04:00
Low-carbon stabilization/solidification of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash
- Coal fly ash reinforcement for the property enhancement of crude glycerol-based polyurethane foam compositesReda Kabbaj2025-06-10T15:07:19-04:00
Coal fly ash reinforcement for the property enhancement of crude glycerol-based polyurethane foam composites
- Nitrite sensor using activated biochar synthesised by microwave-assisted pyrolysisReda Kabbaj2025-06-10T15:01:21-04:00
Nitrite sensor using activated biochar synthesised by microwave-assisted pyrolysis
- Energy and materials recovery from post-recycling wastes: WTEReda Kabbaj2025-06-10T15:43:32-04:00
Energy and materials recovery from post-recycling wastes: WTE
- Nitrite sensor using activated biochar synthesised by microwave-assisted pyrolysisReda Kabbaj2025-06-10T15:44:31-04:00
Nitrite sensor using activated biochar synthesised by microwave-assisted pyrolysis
- Hydrogen production from steam reforming of biomass-derived levulinic acid over highly stable spinel-supported Ni catalystsReda Kabbaj2025-06-10T15:54:57-04:00
Hydrogen production from steam reforming of biomass-derived levulinic acid over highly stable spinel-supported Ni catalysts
Learning Resources
WtERT’s digital resources provides a variety of content including journals, ebooks and papers on the topics of waste-to-energy. Find more…
- Transport and Chemical Rate PhenomenaReda Kabbaj2025-06-09T14:29:19-04:00
Transport and Chemical Rate Phenomena
- Waste-to-Energy Technologies and Global ApplicationsReda Kabbaj2025-06-09T14:10:31-04:00
Waste-to-Energy Technologies and Global Applications
- Recovery of Materials and Energy from Urban WastesReda Kabbaj2025-06-11T05:52:38-04:00
Recovery of Materials and Energy from Urban Wastes
- Volume-Based Waste Fee for New York City – Increasing the recycling rate in a megacityReda Kabbaj2023-06-26T07:30:46-04:00
Volume-Based Waste Fee for New York City – Increasing the recycling rate in a megacity
- Inventory of dioxin emissions of Chinawtertwp236462025-06-11T04:36:35-04:00
Inventory of dioxin emissions of China
- Life Cycle Analysis of Processes for Resource Recovery from Waste-to-Energy Bottom Ashwtertwp236462025-06-11T04:36:56-04:00
Life Cycle Analysis of Processes for Resource Recovery from Waste-to-Energy Bottom Ash
- Integrated Sustainable Waste Management for Santiago de Chilewtertwp236462025-06-11T04:37:35-04:00
Integrated Sustainable Waste Management for Santiago de Chile
- Application of Thermal Spray Techniques for Combating High Temperature Corrosion in Waste-to-Energy Boilerswtertwp236462025-06-11T04:37:43-04:00
Application of Thermal Spray Techniques for Combating High Temperature Corrosion in Waste-to-Energy Boilers
- Understanding High Temperature Corrosion in Thermal Treatment Facilitieswtertwp236462025-06-11T04:37:51-04:00
Understanding High Temperature Corrosion in Thermal Treatment Facilities
Research | Technology | Innovation
Latest News, Research, and Publications
Recent updates on sustainable waste management, activities, and publications from WtERT and its global network.


Welcome to SOFOS: The Most Comprehensive Online Database
Under the auspices of WtERT® and the Earth Engineering Center at Columbia University, SOFOS is a vast repository of wisdom dedicated to advancing sustainable waste management. Named after the Greek word for “wise man,” SOFOS embodies the core values of knowledge sharing and collaboration. Much like the hidden owl nestled within Columbia’s iconic Alma Mater statue—a symbol of wisdom—
Our database contains a wealth of research, including publications, dissertations, conference proceedings, and theses, all aimed at driving innovation in sustainable waste management practices worldwide.