When a municipality has finished with a landfill, they usually bury it. The organic matter in the landfill decomposes and releases gases consisting of methane and other chemical compounds. This gas, known as landfill gas, can be captured and recovered by adding some simple technology. Landfill gas recovery offers a number of benefits.
Prevents global warming
Methane is a greenhouse gas. As a greenhouse gas, it is 21 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. The release of methane into the atmosphere can contribute to global warming and climate change. All landfills produce methane and are, in fact, the largest producers of methane in our atmosphere. This recovery reduces the amount of methane released into a landfill by up to 90%. This reduction in methane emissions helps prevent global warming. The amount of methane captured from all landfill gas projects in the US reduces greenhouse emissions equivalent to taking 14 million vehicles off the road.
Profit from EPA compliance
The Environmental Protection Agency has strict regulatory guidelines on how much methane a landfill can release. There are several ways to control the release of methane from the landfill, including simply burning the gas. This allows methane to be used to produce energy. Allow landfill operators to earn money by complying with environmental regulations. Additionally, businesses can qualify for green energy rental tax credits, making landfill gas even more profitable.
Provides a “green” energy source
The gases produced by a landfill can be used in place of non-renewable sources to generate electricity. Recovery can be used to replace coal and natural gas to generate steam to power electric turbines. This makes it a renewable energy source. A landfill can produce enough gas to power a couple of thousand homes. Since all landfills produce methane, landfill gas is truly a renewable energy source.
Improve the local economy
Landfill gas recovery can help improve the local economy. Design, construction and maintenance create local jobs. Local businesses can also enjoy savings by using gas from landfills instead of non-renewable resources like natural gas. The additional jobs associated with the landfill project and the additional income that companies earn from having access to cheaper energy lead to indirect job growth.
Reduces hazardous emissions
Methane is not the only emission found in landfill gas. There are many other organic compounds in lower concentrations. Some of these compounds can be dangerous to human health. These compounds are destroyed when this gas is burned to generate electricity. As a result, recovering gas from these landfills reduces hazardous emissions. It also reduces odors around the landfill.
Burning landfill gas generates nitrogen oxides, a component of smog. However, the amount of nitrogen oxides that are created is considerably less than that generated by burning non-renewable resources such as natural gas or coal. As a result, it may contribute slightly to smog, but if landfill gas is replacing coal, its use can actually reduce smog.