Methane from landfills

​I was reading an article the other day about organizations that are putting satellites into orbit with sensors that can locate large sources of methane leaking into the atmosphere.  The organizations hope to use this research to identify large sources of methane pollution that can be eliminated.  This is important because methane is a very powerful greenhouse gas (about 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide) that contributes significantly to global warming and climate change.  One type of large methane source is leakage from ordinary municipal landfills – the places we send our garbage.  Methane is created inside of a landfill when organic matter decomposes in an oxygen-free environment.  Organic matter is anything that used to be alive – food, paper, cardboard, wood, lawn clippings, and cotton and linen fabric.  Some large, new landfills have methane collection systems that move the methane to a power-producing plant, but most landfills still vent the methane to the atmosphere.  If we reduce the amount of organic matter going to the landfill, we can reduce the amount of methane produced by the landfill.  Here are a few alternatives to sending organic matter to the landfill:

• If you have recycling options available, recycle your paper and cardboard.
• Find alternatives to paper towels and other paper disposables.
• Manage the food you buy so you don’t have to throw it away.
• Don’t collect your lawn cuttings in plastic bags and send them to the landfill.  Most lawns will remain healthy if you leave the cuttings on the lawn (as long as they are spread out). 
• If you live in an appropriate situation, investigate composting.  If composting is done properly, far less methane is produced when the organic matter decomposes.  If you plan to try it, do some research on techniques and you’ll be more successful.  One of the key factors in home composting is air flow; if the organic matter decomposes in the presence of air, far less methane is produced.  The decomposition process still produces carbon dioxide, but it is a less powerful greenhouse gas.