Energy recovery from waste, also known as Waste-to-Energy (WTE), is the generation of heat, electricity, or fuel, through various processes, such as combustion, anaerobic digestion, and gas recovery.

Allentown recently canceled a 35-year contract drafted in 2012 with Delta Thermo Energy Inc. for the construction of a waste-to-energy facility on Little Lehigh Creek, however, the mayor cancelled it because of opposition from concerned local residents worried that the plant would degrade the quality of Allentown’s air.