FAST FACTS 8396

WORLD WASTE STAFF

Landfill Gas Translations You Can (Really) Use

In May 1999, Waste Age published an incomplete "Landfill Gas Translations You Can Use" [page 78]. Following is a clarification:

* 1 million tons of waste in place would typically generate 300 cubic feet per minute (cfm) of landfill gas ...

which would then generate 7 million kilowatt hours (kWh) per year.

* 7 million kWh is enough energy to power 700 homes for a year.

In terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, utilizing 300 cfm per year of landfill gas yields the same environmental benefit as ...

removing 6,100 cars from the road for one year.

* Similarly, utilizing 300 cfm per year has the same environmental impact as ... planting 8,300 acres of trees.

* By converting the numbers in arrow 1 to coincide with the tons of waste in your landfill, you can calculate what the environmental and energy benefits will be for your project.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Landfill Methane Outreach Program Washington, D.C.