The Global Methane Initiative

Landfill Sector

Chris Godlove 1

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 Landfill Methane Emissions

Global Methane (CH4) Emissions (MMTCO2e) in 2000

Methane is produced and emitted during the anaerobic decomposition of organic material in landfills Other 37% Globally, landfills are the 3 rd largest anthropogenic source, accounting for 13 percent of emissions Australia 2% Brazil 2% United States 26% Canada 3% China 11% Columbia 0% India 1% Italy 1% Japan 1% Mexico 2% Nigeria 1% Poland 2% Russia 5% South Africa 2% United Kingdom 2% Ukraine 3% Global Anthropogenic Emissions of Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases 1990-2020, U.S. EPA, June 2006 3

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 4

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 5

Header LFG Piping

Modern Landfill

Intermediate/ Final Cover Flare/ LFG plant Leachate Plant LFG extraction wells Liner System Cells Monitoring wells

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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 7

LFGE Project Benefits

 Each 1 MW of generation capacity or direct use of 615 m 3 /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 8

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 9

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 10

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 11

For More Information www.globalmethane.org

www.epa.gov/lmop Chris Godlove

U.S. EPA Landfill Methane Outreach Program Tel: +1-202-343-9795

Email: [email protected]

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