The decomposition of waste in landfills produces a gas which is composed primarily of methane which is a greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. The emission of this gas from our landfills accounts for 25 % of the man-made methane emissions from Canada. Estimates have shown that over 25 Megatonnes (Mt) of CO₂ equivalent are being generated annually from Canadian landfills. This is the equivalent to approximately 5.5 million cars on the road.

Landfill gas is a potentially harmful emission that can be converted into a reliable energy source used to generate electricity, fuel industries and heat buildings. Forty-one landfills in Canada (2001) capture this harmful emission resulting in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of more than 7 Mt/year of CO₂ equivalent annually. This is the equivalent to removing approximately 1.5 million cars from the road. In addition to greenhouse gas reductions, the capture and use of landfill gas provides the ancillary benefits of limiting odours, controlling damage to vegetation, reducing owner liability, risk from explosions, fires and asphyxiation, and smog while providing a potential source of revenue and profit. Furthermore, the combustion of landfill gas destroys volatile organic compounds which reduces smog formation.

The following series of Technical Bulletins highlight the success stories of the facilities in Canada which utilize landfill gas (LFG) for the generation of electricity and heating. In addition to the capture of valuable energy, these installations reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute towards Canada’s fight against climate change.