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The Global Methane Initiative

Landfill Sector

Chris Godlove

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Landfill Sector 28 countries are on the Subcommittee, led by chairs from Argentina,

Colombia, and United States.

9 countries have developed country specific action plans, and more are being developed.

More than 650 landfills are now listed in the International Landfill Database.

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Global Methane (CH4) Emissions (MMTCO2e) in 2000

Global Landfill Methane Emissions

United States26%

Other37%

Canada3%

Brazil2%

Japan1%

Italy1%

Columbia0%

India1%

China11%

Mexico2%

Nigeria1%

Poland2%

Russia5%

South Africa2%

Ukraine3%

United Kingdom2%

Australia2%

Methane is produced and emitted during the anaerobic decomposition of organic material in landfills

Globally, landfills are the 3rd largest anthropogenic source, accounting for 13 percent of emissions

Global Anthropogenic Emissions of Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases 1990-2020, U.S. EPA, June 2006

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Global Landfill Methane Emissions Trends

Industrialized Nations Declining– Increased LFG regulation– Increased recycling of organics/paper– Increased LFG utilization (>1100 worldwide)

Developing Nations Sharply Increasing– Shift from open dumps to sanitary/engineered

landfills– Increased MSW generation and disposal– Lack of LFG regulation and recycling

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Biogas (LFG): Advantages Local, available fuel source Easy to capture and use Source of renewable energy Constant supply - 24 hours a day, 7 days a

week Reliable technologies exist for using landfill gas Uses a source of energy that otherwise would

have been wasted Helps the environment by reducing

uncontrolled emissions of landfill gas

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Modern Landfill

Monitoring wells

LFG extractionwells

Liner SystemCells

Intermediate/Final Cover

Header LFG Piping

Flare/LFG plant

Leachate Plant

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LFGE Project Benefits Destroys methane and other organic

compounds in LFG Offsets use of nonrenewable resources Potential benefits for the landfill;

– Another source of income– Local

Potential benefits for the End User– Reduces fuel costs– Win through the use of renewable sources– Supports the strategy of being a “green”

and/or sustainable company

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LFGE Project Benefits

Each 1 MW of generation capacity or direct use of 615 m3/h is equivalent to:– Annual environmental equivalent to planting

4,900 hectare of trees or removing the CO2 emissions of 9,000 cars

– Annual energy equivalent to preventing the use of 99,000 barrels of oil, offsetting the use of 200 railcars of coal, or powering more than 650 homes

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Landfill Gas Utilization Options

Direct Use– Boilers– Thermal– Leachate evaporation/sludge drying

Electricity– IC engine– Gas turbine– Micro turbine

High BTU– Pipeline injection– Alternative vehicle fuel

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GMI Main Activities in Latin America

Identify and assess project opportunities

Stakeholder outreach Support technology transfer, training,

and capacity building Technology demonstration and

deployment Tools development

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GMI Work in Brazil 11 Assessment Reports of Landfill in Brazil Training Seminar with CETESB (Local Partner) Partnership with FEAM-MG for training and workshops.

– LGTE International Course given to public officials of the State Minas Gerais. - April 2010

– Planned workshop - 2011 Landfill Operation Workshop in Fortaleza – October 2009 Collaboration in ABRELPE’s Landfill Basics Course in Rio de

Janeiro – March 2010 Guide and offer technical assistance during the visits to

landfills for the development of landfill gas utilization projects. Grants:

– ICLEI– Fundação PROMAR– Appalachian State University– NARUC/ABAR

Planned partnership with SEA-RJ

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For More Information

www.globalmethane.org

www.epa.gov/lmop

Chris GodloveU.S. EPA Landfill Methane Outreach ProgramTel: +1-202-343-9795

Email: Godlove.chris@epa.gov