What is LFG

Landfills have a huge greenhouse gas problem.

Landfill gas (LFG) is a natural byproduct of the decomposition of organic material in landfills. LFG is composed of roughly 50 percent methane (the primary component of natural gas), 50 percent carbon dioxide (CO2) and a small amount of non-methane organic compounds. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas 28 to 36 times more harmful than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period.

Methane emissions

Methane is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of its global warming potential.

Emissions from Canadian landfills account for 20% of national methane emissions.

Canada's Greenhouse Gas Inventory notes that in 2015, approximately 30 Megatonnes (Mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (eCO2) were generated at Canadian landfills, of which 19 Mt eCO2 were ultimately emitted.

Approximately 11 Mt eCO2 generated at landfills were captured - of which 5.4 Mt eCO2 were combusted and 5.6 Mt eCO2 were utilized for various energy purposes.

Because methane typically has a much shorter life in the atmosphere than CO2 (12 years compared with 100 to 300 years for carbon dioxide), reducing methane release from landfills can help rapidly reduce climate change risk. (Reference: Government of Canada, Municipal Solid Waste Management)

When operating a Landfill, there exists the challenge of balancing compliance with increasing Government Regulations to control LFG, while maintaining the efficient day to day operation of municipal and private landfills and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.