Our commitment to renewable energy is taking form in a distinct way– our landfill-gas-to energy (LFGTE) facilities. These facilities produce enough energy each year to power close to 500,000 homes.
It’s a beautiful thing, actually, to turn waste into power. As waste decomposes in a landfill, a natural by-product is landfill gas. More than 20 years ago, we realized this gas could be captured and burned as fuel. We are now able to convert the gas into electricity or an alternative transportation fuel.
The benefits of landfill gas are both proven and compelling. This clean-burning energy-source is generated close to the end-user. Looking ahead, we’re taking a leading role in developing Next Generation Landfill technology. The goal? Accelerate the decomposition of organic waste by increasing moisture content. This will help in creating more usable space AND more efficient landfill gas-to-energy utilization.
The cycle begins with the collection of residential and commercial waste. Recyclables are separated, and the remaining waste is then transported to Waste Management landfills for permanent disposal.
Much of this waste, including food, paper and cardboard, is organic in nature. Bacteria digest this organic waste and produce methane gas and carbon dioxide as natural by-products.
At the compression facility, the landfill gas is de-watered, filtered and pressurized.
The methane gas is recovered via a series of wells drilled into the landfill. These wells are connected by a common pipe system that collects the gas and transports it to a nearby compression facility.
The gas is piped to an electricity generating plant, onsite or offsite, where it is used as fuel to turn engines or turbines to generate electricity. Landfill gas may also be piped offsite to industrial customers for use as an alternative fuel source.
An energy source that, when used, directly prevents atmospheric pollution
Landfill gas is currently being supplied to more than 135 projects, providing more than 615 megawatts of energy per year (enough to power 470,000 homes)
Energy supplied by landfill gas replaces over two and a half million tons of coal per year