Located near the western edge of New York’s Finger Lakes region, the Oneida Herkimer Landfill is turning municipal waste into climate action.
During the decomposition process, organic material stored in municipal landfills releases methane gas. Methane has a warming potential approximately 29 times higher than that of carbon dioxide on a 100-year scale, and approximate 82.5 times higher on a twenty-year scale. Due to the significant warming potential of methane, methane capture at landfill’s provides a major opportunity for organizations searching for strategies to lower their climate impact.
At the Oneida Herkimer Landfill, methane is collected through approximately 40 vertical wells drilled into the landfill, reaching a depth of 50 to 200 ft. Large pipes are then inserted into the wells, which collect the methane gas emitting from decomposing organic materials. Once methane is collected, it’s then routed through a line attached to the well head and transported to the landfill’s gas-to-energy system.
First listed on the Climate Action Reserve in 2010, this project has been providing verifiable methane reductions for over 15 years.
PROJECT TYPE: Landfill gas capture
ONLINE DATE: 2010
LOCATION: Ava, New York
VERIFICATION: Climate Action Reserve (CAR)
RELATED SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS): This project contributes directly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an urgent call for action by countries in global partnership to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
Landfill gas capture provides substantial co-benefits
With municipal landfills responsible for approximately 14% of human-related methane emissions in the U.S., landfill gas capture projects represent a critical opportunity for emissions reduction. Beyond emissions reduction, these projects also provide valuable co-benefits to the surrounding environment, the health of nearby residents, and the local economy.
The Oneida Herkimer Landfill project drastically reduces local greenhouse gas emissions by capturing methane produced by decomposing organic material.
By reducing the amount of methane released into the local area, the Oneida Herkimer Landfill has a positive impact on the health of the local population.
The communities surrounding the Oneida Herkimer Landfill continue to benefit economically from the construction, management, and operations of the project.
Ready to take climate action with landfill gas capture?
At 3Degrees, we’re helping leading businesses take climate action through high-integrity emissions reduction projects. Landfill gas capture represents a key opportunity to address methane emissions, while providing vital co-benefits to the surrounding communities, environment, and economy.
3Degrees offers access to innovative decarbonization strategies built on over two decades of experience. Through collaboration with our team of experts, 3Degrees provides leading businesses the opportunities they need to meet ambitious climate goals. Contact 3Degrees, and learn how your business can take urgent climate action today.
