The exhaust of a vehicle paint spray booth is fed through an adsorption medium, such as activated carbon, to remove volatile organic compounds by adsorption. When the adsorbent becomes saturated, it is purged by electric heaters, and the desorbed volatile organic compounds are directed to the fuel processor of a stationary fuel cell. The volatile organic compounds are broken down into oxides of carbon and hydrogen gas in the fuel processor, the hydrogen is fed to the fuel cell, and the oxides of carbon are vented to the atmosphere with excess air. The fuel cell combines the hydrogen with oxygen from air, and releases air, water vapor and electrical power.