At WM, we envision a future where resources become renewable energy as part of a low-carbon, circular economy. Long-term growth potential exists in the capture of landfill gas for beneficial use applications which leverage methane content to generate renewable energy.

When organic material decomposes in an anaerobic environment such as a landfill, it naturally produces biogas. This biogas, commonly referred to as landfill gas, is roughly 50% methane. At many WM landfills, we capture, collect, and often treat the landfill gas so it can be used beneficially as an alternative to fossil fuels. In fact, landfill gas is recognized by the U.S. EPA as a renewable energy resource in the same category as wind, solar and geothermal resources.

There are multiple opportunities for utilizing landfill gas including electricity generation, direct use as heating fuel and processing it into renewable natural gas. Renewable energy from landfill gas provides our fleet, communities and industrial customers with a lower-carbon energy source. This helps us and renewable energy users reduce emissions by displacing the use of fossil fuels. Watch our video to learn more.

We are continually looking for opportunities to develop projects that enable landfill gas to be beneficially used, including nitrogen rejection technologies and new forms of carbon capture. Proximity and accessibility to energy infrastructure make projects more cost effective. While larger landfills tend to have greater potential, smaller landfills can also support beneficial use projects.