The Waste sector accounts for approximately 6.4% of Evansville's total community-wide greenhouse gas emissions, encompassing emissions from solid waste disposal and wastewater treatment. While this is a smaller share compared to energy and transportation, waste-related emissions are significant because much of the impact comes from organic waste, such as food scraps and yard waste, that generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas, when it decomposes in landfill conditions.

The City's 2025 Climate Action Plan identifies Waste as one of five key focus areas for emissions reduction. Evansville currently offers curbside recycling collected every other week by Republic Services, along with drop-off recycling locations and seasonal yard waste and leaf collection programs. The Evansville Climate Collaborative is partnering with the Vanderburgh County Solid Waste District on a feasibility study for a municipal composting program, which could significantly reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills and the methane emissions associated with it.