Impact landfill gases

Landfill gases have significant environmental impacts, including:

• Greenhouse gas emissions: Landfills are a major source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Methane is produced during the decomposition of organic waste in landfills and is emitted into the atmosphere[1][2][3]. Landfills are also a significant source of carbon dioxide emissions[1][2].
• Air pollution: Landfill gases can move through soil and collect in nearby buildings, where they can displace oxygen and create a risk of explosion or asphyxiation. Ammonia, sulfides, methane, and carbon dioxide are of most concern for human health[1][2].
• Odors: Landfills can produce objectionable odors that can be unpleasant for nearby residents[2].
• Biodiversity impacts: Landfills can impact biodiversity by requiring wild areas to be cleared, leading to habitat loss and degradation[4].
• Landfill fires: Landfill sites can easily cause fires to start, which can cause air pollution and destroy neighboring habitats[4].

To mitigate these impacts, landfill gas collection systems are installed to capture and utilize the gas. These systems can include venting the gas into the outdoor air, passing it through a flame and breaking it down by burning, passing it through a filter, or using it in an on-site combustion system to provide heat or generate electricity[1][3]. Additionally, reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfills through recycling and composting can also help to reduce the environmental impacts of landfill gases[1].

Citations:
[1] https://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/2021/04/15/hidden-damage-landfills
[2] https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/air/landfill_gas.htm
[3] https://www.epa.gov/lmop/basic-information-about-landfill-gas
[4] https://www.slrecyclingltd.co.uk/what-are-the-negative-effects-of-landfill/
[5] https://www.npr.org/2021/07/13/1012218119/epa-struggles-to-track-methane-from-landfills-heres-why-it-matters-for-the-clima
[6] https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/9/10/431