Nanaimo Landfill Gas Capture and Flare

Carbon offset funds enabled the Regional District of Nanaimo to reduce emissions of methane from its landfill by capturing and flaring the landfill gas that is normally produced.

HOW IT WORKS
The project achieves greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions through the collection of landfill gas (LFG) generated as a result of the anaerobic degradation of municipal solid waste placed at the Regional Landfill Site. The anaerobic degradation of municipal solid waste produces LFG that typically consists of methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and a small amount of non-methane organic compounds. The methane portion of the collected LFG is either flared, or utilized in reciprocating engines to produce electricity. The LFG capture and electricity generation project prevents a large quantity of methane from being released to the atmosphere that would otherwise occur in the baseline scenario.

CARBON OFFSETS MADE IT HAPPEN
Without offset funds the financial payback for this installation would not have been viable and the landfill would continue to emit methane, which has the global warming potential of over 20 times that of carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. Use of these technologies is not common practice and yields savings in GHG emissions compared to the traditional approach.

OTHER BENEFITS OF THE INSTALLATION

Beyond the direct climate benefits, the installation of the Landfill Gas Capture and Combustion project will reduce odours and the risk of landfill fires or explosions – improving the safety on, and quality of life around the landfill.