Can landfill gas be used for energy?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

The subject of landfill is becoming increasingly controversial as governments the world over are turning more and more towards renewable and clean energy generation, and waste reduction, reuse & recycling; all as part of the ongoing efforts to battle climate change and - particularly here in the UK - confront the ongoing energy and cost of living crises plaguing our homes and businesses.

However, as unfavourable as landfill may be becoming, does it have a place in the Energy from Waste (EfW) sector? I.e. Can landfill gas be used for energy?

Can landfill gas be used for energy?

As organic matter in landfill breaks down, natural gases are released; natural gases that are predominantly a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide, where methane makes up approximately 60% of the total composition, making it an extremely potent greenhouse gas.

However potent, this gas is a byproduct of an entirely natural process of the breakdown of biological matter and is not therefore a fossil fuel gas; rather, considered to be a biogas and, as such, when harnessed, can produce renewable energy.

And, of course, the benefits of using landfill gas as energy are vast as, not only can this natural but undoubtedly environmentally harmful gas be converted into heat & power for homes & businesses, but using the gas in this way prevents it from being released into the atmosphere; helping to significantly reduce greenhouse emissions.