Turning Landfill Gas
into Energy
At Republic Services, we are in a unique position to leverage our operations to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and drive circularity. One part of that picture is converting gas to energy, something that is happening at 65 of our landfills.
Harnessing the energy in waste
When waste comes to a landfill, we want to put it to good use. The decomposition of waste in a landfill produces biogas, which is made up primarily of methane. Biogas can be harnessed to displace the use of fossil fuels. To help innovate clean energy solutions, we host 65 landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) projects that power homes and vehicles, like our vocational fleet. From regenerative landfills, we collect more than 70 billion standard cubic feet of gas each year, which is used to produce three types of energy:
Renewable natural gas
Electricity
Thermal gas
A.
Renewable Natural Gas
Landfill gas is processed and converted into renewable natural gas (RNG). That gas is fed into the natural gas pipeline and used in buildings or to power fleets, like ours.
We use RNG to power more than 20% of our fleets
RNG produces up to 70% fewer emissions than diesel
B.
Electricity
Landfill gas is routed to engines that convert it to electricity.
That electricity is distributed to a local public utility grid.
The Las Vegas Apex Landfill, which spans 1,900 acres, is one location where biogas generates electricity, which is sent to the public utility grid. The electricity produced there powers 11,000 homes.
C.
Thermal Gas
Landfill gas powers boilers that make thermal energy, which is produced for commercial or industrial use.
Landfill gas-to-energy innovation turns today's waste into tomorrow's source of power, helping us reduce emissions and create a vital resource. By harnessing energy from our landfills, we're creating value for our business while helping our customers meet their sustainability goals.
