Waste Management opens gas-to-energy power plant in US

Waste Management has opened its new 3.2MW gas-to-energy power plant at its Lockwood Landfill in Nevada, US.

The plant will use landfill gas produced onsite to generate electricity, which can meet the power needs of 1,800 homes.

A gas comprised of about 55% methane is created from organic materials, like food and yard waste, which decompose at the landfill site.

The gas is collected through the collection wells placed all over the site and piped to the power plant, where it is used as a fuel to run two generators.

Waste Management vice president of renewable energy Paul Pabor said the company has been developing landfill gas-to-energy technology for the last 20 years.

"As a leader in this industry, we understand how landfills operate and how to use technology to extract the most value from the waste stream," said Pabor.

Waste Management said the project will displace the use of about 700 railcars worth of coal.

Waste Management spokesperson Justin Caporusso said the gas-to-energy facility at the Lockwood Landfill ensures that not even garbage will go to waste.

"By investing in landfill gas-to-energy, we are powering homes using the same waste that is left at the curb."

Waste Management owns or operates 131 landfill gas-to-energy facilities across North America which produce electricity to power nearly 475,000 homes.