Usually, a landfill signifies the end of the waste cycle. But for the waste industry, this is just the beginning. When waste decomposes in a landfill, it emits a mixture of gases, some of which can be processed to create liquefied natural gas. These resulting gases are increasingly being used instead of fossil fuels to power a variety of vehicles, such as heavy-duty truck fleets.

To close the loop on our own waste collection process, Waste Management has taken this cycle a step further. At the Altamont Landfill near Livermore, California, we’ve partnered with The Linde Group to convert the landfill gas (LFG) we collect into liquefied natural gas (LNG). In turn, this gas is used as fuel to power our collection vehicles; the plant can produce up to 13,000 gallons of LNG per day, enough fuel for 300 LNG powered collection trucks across 20 California communities.

Beyond the benefits of using the waste we collect as a renewable energy source, creating this type of alternative fuel also benefits the environment. Landfill gas-derived LNG has been designated as a super ultra-low carbon fuel by the California Air Resources Board and its use reduces carbon emissions from truck fleets. The LNG produced at Altamont is expected to displace 2.5 million gallons of diesel a year, the renewable biogas the plant produces eliminates over 30,000 tons a year of transportation greenhouse gases – the equivalent of removing over 5,000 passenger cars from the road. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are reduced by nearly 200 tons and particulate matter emissions by over four tons a year.

Of note, we were recently awarded a 2010 California Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award for the Altamont LFG to LNG plant. The award is California’s highest environmental honor and recognizes exceptional leadership in conserving California’s precious resources, protecting and enhancing the environment, building public-private partnerships and strengthening the state’s economy.

Government support has been, and will continue to be essential to the success of developing such “clean air” fleets. Without support from such agencies as the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the Altamont project might not have come to fruition.

While customers may see landfills as the end point of their waste, we know better. The benefits we can derive from waste as a renewable resource cannot be overstated. With the help of both public and private partners, we hope to continue driving the creation of alternative fuels from the everyday waste our country generates and help reduce the emissions of our own truck fleets. Companies in all commercial and industrial sectors have the opportunity to evaluate their environmental impact and help create solutions for the future. Closing the loop on our waste collection cycle is one way we can do our part.

Photo: Len Butler/Waste Management