How can methane collected from a landfill be used as fuel?

In landfills, organic matter undergoes anaerobic digestion by microorganisms, which naturally produces a gas composed of approximately 50 to 60 percent methane. Because this gas can be explosive and is a potent greenhouse gas, modern facilities implement collection systems using interconnected pipes or wells to capture it.123

Once collected, this methane can be utilized as a fuel source in several ways:

• Electricity Generation: The gas is often burned in internal combustion engines or gas turbines to generate electricity.12
• Direct Heating: It can be burned on-site in furnaces or boilers to provide heat for industrial or facility needs.12
• Processing for Distribution: The gas can be processed to increase its methane concentration, making it suitable for storage in tanks or for injection into natural gas pipelines.2

Using landfill methane is an environmentally responsible practice, as it prevents the gas from escaping into the atmosphere and reduces reliance on nonrenewable fossil fuels.12