Biodegradable tapes and films play a crucial role in facilitating the decomposition process within landfills, thereby contributing to the production of methane gas. When organic waste is buried in a landfill, it undergoes anaerobic decomposition due to the lack of oxygen. As bacteria break down the organic matter, methane is released as a byproduct.
Trident Solutions company, Presco, is one of America’s largest producers of engineered films. Their R&D department formulated an additive that enables specific tapes and films to be biodegradable and designed to break down naturally over time. This processes provides an additional source of organic material for microbial activity, which accelerates the production of methane within the landfill.
Consequently, the inclusion of biodegradable tape in waste streams enhances methane generation, which can then be captured and utilized as a renewable energy resource, contributing to the overall sustainability of landfill operations.
You can learn more about Presco’s engineered film capabilities here.
Turning Waste into Power
Landfills are essentially giant repositories of organic and inorganic waste. As this waste decomposes, it releases methane gas—a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. However, instead of allowing this methane to escape into the atmosphere, modern landfills are equipped with systems to capture and utilize it as an energy source.
One of the primary methods used to harvest energy from landfills is through the process of landfill gas (LFG) recovery. LFG is a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases produced by the decomposition of organic waste. Specialized collection systems consisting of pipes and extraction wells are installed throughout the landfill to capture this gas as it forms. Once collected, the methane can be purified and used directly as a fuel for various applications, including generating electricity or heat.
Beyond landfill gas recovery, there are other innovative techniques being explored to extract energy from landfills. For instance, some facilities utilize advanced thermal technologies to convert solid waste directly into electricity or heat through processes such as incineration or gasification. These methods not only produce energy but also help reduce the volume of waste that needs to be stored in landfills, further extending their lifespan and reducing environmental impact.
