Turning Trash into Treasure Through Private-Public Partnerships

Alarming data about pollution from landfills has surfaced. According to a recent study by Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), U.S. landfills emit methane at levels 51% higher than previously estimated by the EPA.

This eye-opening research highlights the urgent need for nationwide action. One promising solution is harnessing landfill gas for renewable energy production. To effectively drive and execute these smarter energy solutions, private-public partnerships (P3s) are essential.

The Process of Transforming Waste

Instead of letting harmful landfill gas flare into the atmosphere, we can capture it. Once captured, we can clean it and convert it into renewable natural gas (RNG), a fully interchangeable biogas and the lowest carbon alternative fuel. It has the same chemical makeup as fossil fuel natural gas but without the carbon footprint.

This creative approach to transform waste into cleaner, smarter energy is being implemented through various P3 initiatives. For example, Nopetro Renewables is partnering with Indian River County to build a landfill gas to RNG production facility. Once the facility is completed in early 2025, the County’s landfill gas will be purified and the RNG will be added into local pipelines. This circular operation, facilitating cleaner air and fuel for buses and trucks throughout Florida, is only possible through the commitment and support of multiple entities, including local government.

There is a massive opportunity to scale this process at landfills across the country. Currently, according to a study by Deloitte, few landfills are producing RNG relative to facilities capturing biogas. Of the 1,641 publicly owned municipal landfills in the U.S., Deloitte reports that 248 are capturing biogas through anaerobic digestion, mostly for electricity generation. Of these 248 facilities, only 28 are actively producing RNG, with much of the production capacity serving natural gas vehicle fuel demand, and only five of these facilities service local demand.

Similarly, wastewater treatment plants also present significant prospects for implementing this process. According to Deloitte, less than one-tenth of the country’s municipal wastewater treatment plants currently capture biogas, and only 2 percent of these are upgrading the captured biogas to RNG.

The Mutual Benefits

P3s offer numerous benefits for municipalities and the solid waste industry, both in terms of the environment and the economy.

For instance, the Vero Beach facility will initially produce 3 million gallons of RNG a year and prevent 30,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions, equivalent to eliminating emissions from 4,300 passenger cars.

Another benefit is the system resiliency provided by local native sources of natural gas production. Local sourcing reduces dependency on external energy supplies, ensuring a more stable and reliable energy infrastructure.

Economically, P3 projects create jobs and can unlock valuable revenue opportunities for municipalities. In Indian River County, the RNG production facility will generate about $400,000 of new and recurring revenue a year for the County. P3s offer government agencies the ability to more quickly realize capital infrastructure projects without having to contribute capital and/or incur operational costs.

Embracing P3s to Scale the Landfill Gas to RNG Model

Municipalities and solid waste operators aiming to improve their carbon footprint, avoid costs, streamline operations, and implement environmental policies should consider a waste energy conversion project through a P3. Successful existing partnerships can serve as a blueprint. By adopting this approach, municipalities can not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also foster economic growth and operational efficiency.

The urgency of eliminating methane emissions from our communities cannot be overstated. It’s a crucial step in combating climate change, improving air quality, promoting renewable energy, and enhancing community resilience. With a small portion of landfills currently incorporating RNG production facilities, there is significant potential for expansion. P3s can be the vehicle for doing so, driving meaningful change in the solid waste sector, as well as in our neighborhoods. Through collaborative innovation and strategic partnerships, we can truly turn our trash into treasure.