Landfill Gas to Energy (LFGTE)
Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum
Where Does Our Garbage Go?
As your garbage decomposes, landfill gas
is produced. The amount of gas produced depends on the size
and age of the landfill, as well as the composition of waste.
Landfill gas is produced from the time the waste is disposed of until
20 or 30 years after the landfill is closed. This gas can be
used as fuel for engines, turbines, or other electricity producing
devices. |
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The Wheelabrator waste-to-energy plant in Worcester, Massachusetts converts 2000 tons of garbage to electricity every day. |
Of the estimated 2,500 landfills currently operating in the U.S., approximately 340 have landfill gas projects. 230 of these are electricity generation projects and there are about 60 projects under construction! EXPLORE: Are you wondering if the landfill nearest you generates electricity from landfill gas? The US EPA has data on most LFGTE projects. |
