LANDFILL GAS (LFG)

Image Courtesy: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2011

a complex mix of different gases created by the action of microorganisms within a landfill. Landfill gas is approximately forty to sixty percent methane, with the remainder being mostly carbon dioxide. Trace amounts of other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) comprise the remainder (<1%).

Pros

Can be captured and combusted to generate heat or electricity, which is far better that allowing the methane to escape into the atmosphere.

Cons

Landfill gas emissions are “dirtier” than natural gas emissions.

Real Talk

Until we can solve our trash problem, we need to combust all the landfill gas that can be captured.