This report released by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) highlights how simple, relatively affordable and locally adaptable solutions like methane mitigation oxidation covers (such as biocovers) can effectively mitigate landfill methane emissions while improving air quality and public health.
- A biocover is a microbial system which uses naturally occurring bacteria to oxidize methane into less harmful carbon dioxide and water.
- It is capable of mitigating up to 50% of the methane generation over a 100-year period.
Landfill Emissions
- Landfills are one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing sources of methane, responsible for about 11% of all human-made emissions.
- Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, and has high global warming potential (28–84 times higher than carbon dioxide).
- Long-Term Emissions: Biodegradation of organic waste can typically take 2-3 decades, with methane emissions continuing for up to 100 years at landfill sites.
- Risks: Methane becomes explosive at concentrations of 4.4%–16.5% in air which can trigger prolonged fire.
- Landfill gas contains toxic trace components such as VOCs, hydrogen sulphide, and solvents that causes environmental and human health issues.
Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)
|
