Full Title: Leading with Landfills: The Immense, Cost-Effective Potential of Advanced Technology To Reduce Methane Emissions at Landfills Nationwide
Author(s): Michael S. Lerner
Publisher(s): Energy Vision
Publication Date: July 5, 2025
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
Cutting methane pollution is the most immediate, cost-effective way to slow warming
over the near term. Since methane traps significantly more heat than carbon dioxide —
but dissipates from the atmosphere sooner — fast action to curb methane is essential to
keep our climate targets within reach. That is why RMI is working with a partner network
of satellite and sensor operators through its WasteMAP platform to make methane emissions visible and define mitigation measures, policies, and market incentives that slash
this super-potent greenhouse gas.
Landfills are a major but addressable source of climate pollution, generating methane as
buried organic waste decomposes. Recent aerial and satellite remote sensing surveys
have observed super-emitting methane plumes at landfills across the United States, with
emission rates 40%-50% higher on average than inventory estimates. Landfill emissions
also tend to be larger and more persistent than other sources of methane, which underscores the strong potential climate benefits of addressing these fugitive emissions.
The good news is that we have viable solutions to cut landfill methane pollution today. To
avoid future methane generation, we must keep organic waste out of landfills — through
waste prevention, food rescue, and organics recycling. At the same time, we must
strengthen pollution controls for the landfilled waste that will continue generating methane for decades to come. There are proven best practices and readily available technologies that can increase landfill gas collection and slash methane pollution. As this Energy Vision study shows, expanding gas collection systems to more landfills, installing these
systems earlier, and using real-time monitoring and controls can cut 59.2 million metric
tons of CO2e annually at just $9.58/ton CO2e.
Advanced landfill gas controls can unlock meaningful progress toward global 2030 methane reduction targets. And, the environmental, health, and economic benefits far exceed implementation costs. Stronger landfill pollution controls reduce local exposure
to odors, ozone, and health-harming compounds in landfill gas — protecting workers and
nearby residents. It also makes business sense: advanced landfill gas capture can save
landfills money over time on operations while generating additional revenue for energy
projects.
As this Energy Vision study makes clear, improving landfill gas collection is one of the
most cost-effective opportunities to slow near-term warming, while boosting domestic
energy production, improving air quality, and protecting public health. Policymakers and
landfill operators can help close the gap on the Global Methane Pledge by integrating
these best practices into landfill operations and regulatory and incentive programs today.