landfill gas
Quick Summary
Landfill gas, also known as biogas, is a renewable energy source produced by the breakdown of organic matter through anaerobic digestion, a process carried out by bacteria in the absence of oxygen. This gas is primarily composed of methane and carbon dioxide, with smaller amounts of nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide.12
Landfill gas is generated naturally in environments like compost heaps and swamps, and it can also be collected from landfills. The collected gas can be used to produce heat or electricity. Utilizing landfill gas is considered a green technology because it reduces the emission of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, by combusting it into less harmful carbon dioxide. This process also helps manage waste by converting organic materials into a usable energy source.132
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