Landfills are a significant source of global methane emissions, releasing an estimated 900 million metric tonnes annually, according to a 2023 report by Waste Management World. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas with over 80 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, is produced through the anaerobic decomposition of organic waste. However, estimates vary: the Global Methane Initiative reported 799 million metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2010. The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Global Methane Tracker 2024 references the Global Methane Budget, which estimates that annual global methane emissions are approximately 580 million metric tonnes, with 60% attributed to human activity. This highlights the complexity of tracking emissions accurately and underscores the urgent need for action to mitigate methane’s impact on climate change.
Why Landfills Matter
Global waste production is increasing at an alarming rate. In 2020, approximately 2.24 billion tonnes of solid waste were generated worldwide, equating to an average of 0.79 kilograms per person per day. With rapid urbanization and population growth, this annual waste generation is projected to grow by 73%, reaching 3.88 billion tonnes by 2050 (World Bank, 2020).
This issue disproportionately affects residents in developing countries, particularly urban low-income populations. In these regions, over 90% of waste is discarded in unmanaged dumps or openly burned, leading to significant health and environmental hazards. Such practices exacerbate global climate change through methane emissions, spread diseases, and contribute to social instability (World Bank, 2020).
Landfills are more than repositories for waste; they are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Key considerations include:
Significant Contribution to Greenhouse Gases: In 2021, landfills were the third-largest source of human-caused methane emissions in the United States, accounting for approximately 14.3% of methane emissions, equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from nearly 23.1 million gasoline-powered vehicles driven for one year (Carbon Mapper, 2021).
Underestimated Emissions: Research suggests landfill methane emissions are significantly underestimated. A 2023 study revealed that U.S. landfills emit 1.4 times more methane than the Environmental Protection Agency's estimates (Carbon Credits, 2023).
Methane's Potency: Methane has a global warming potential over 80 times greater than carbon dioxide over 20 years, amplifying concerns (Don’t Waste Our Future, 2023).
Food Waste Contribution: Food waste is a major component of landfill content, decomposing under anaerobic conditions to produce methane. In 2019, the U.S. generated approximately 66.2 million tonnes of food waste, with 59.8% ending up in landfills (Don’t Waste Our Future, 2023).
The Canadian Context
In Canada, landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions, contributing around 17% of the nation’s methane emissions and 3% of its total greenhouse gas emissions (Government of Canada, 2024). Organic materials such as food waste, yard trimmings, and paper products are primary contributors. While these materials could be diverted to composting or recovery systems, inefficient segregation and processing exacerbate the issue.
Canada generates approximately 3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, a staggering figure that highlights the country's significant contribution to global plastic pollution. Alarmingly, only about 9% of this waste is recycled domestically, while 86% ends up in landfills, and the remainder is incinerated for energy recovery. Moreover, around 12% of the material placed in recycling bins is exported to countries like Malaysia, where improper processing methods often harm both the environment and local communities' health. These statistics underscore the urgent need for improved waste management systems and sustainable practices.
Strategies to Address Landfill Methane Emissions
To effectively tackle methane emissions, Canada must adopt a multifaceted approach:
Improve Recycling Rates: Enhancing recycling infrastructure and public education can increase the percentage of materials successfully recycled. Advanced sorting technologies can further reduce contamination.
Invest in Waste Management Technologies: Companies like Eco-Growth Environmental offer innovative solutions to divert landfill organic waste into bio-fuel, directly reducing methane pollution from landfills.
Strengthen Policy and Regulation: Enforcing stringent methane caps and incentivising sustainable waste practices is crucial. Canada introduced measures in 2024 to reduce landfill methane emissions by 50% by 2030, aligning with the Global Methane Pledge to cut global emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030 (Government of Canada, 2024).
Turning Insight into Action
Landfills are among the largest contributors to global methane emissions, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced waste management. Addressing landfill waste provides an unparalleled opportunity for Canada to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, meet climate targets, and create a sustainable future. By prioritizing recycling, organics diversion, and methane capture, Canada can transform its waste management system into a model for climate action.
Eco-Growth Environmental Inc., a Calgary-based leader in sustainable innovation, is transforming the way we address food waste and its significant contribution to global methane emissions. Their cutting-edge technology provides a circular solution by converting organic waste streams into clean, renewable energy. By employing innovative thermal dehydration systems, Eco-Growth effectively diverts organic waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas that is 84 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. This scalable technology not only mitigates landfill pollution but also supports global climate goals by turning waste into valuable resources such as clean energy. With its commitment to environmental stewardship and practical applications, Eco-Growth Environmental Inc. is poised to become a global leader in the fight against landfill methane emissions, offering communities and businesses an impactful way to embrace sustainability.
Rob Avis
Organizations like PeriCarbon are leading this charge, offering innovative solutions and collaborating with Eco-Growth Environmental to reduce methane emissions and promote sustainable practices across industries. For more information about PeriCarbon's initiatives, visit www.pericarbon.org.
References:
Global Methane Initiative. (n.d.). Methane Emissions and Mitigation. Global Methane Initiative.
Global Energy Monitor. (n.d.). Methane Tracker 2023. Global Energy Monitor.
Government of Canada. (2024). Reducing Methane Emissions from Canada’s Oil and Gas Sector. Government of Canada.
Government of Canada. (2024). Measures to Regulate Methane Emissions from Landfills. Government of Canada.
Carbon Mapper. (2021). Study Finds Landfill Methane Emissions Underestimated. Carbon Mapper.
Carbon Credits. (2023). Study Shows Landfill Methane Emissions Are 1.4x More Than EPA Estimates. Carbon Credits.
Don’t Waste Our Future. (2023). Top Ten Methane Sources. Don’t Waste Our Future.
Waste Management World. (2023). Global Landfilling and Methane Emissions. Waste Management World.
Environment and Climate Change Canada. (2019). Economic Study of the Canadian Plastic Industry, Markets and Waste.
Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA). (2022). The Plastic Waste Crisis: Exporting Harm.
International Energy Agency (IEA). (2024). Global Methane Tracker 2024: Understanding Methane Emissions.
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