Energy sources

LANDFILL

What is it?

The average person throws away almost 2 kg of rubbish every day, or 728 Kg per year. Most of this garbage ends up at the dump as landfill.

Landfill can be used as an energy source, and many rubbish tips in Australia and the world are already being used to generate electricity. Take a look in your rubbish bin, the contents could be changed into energy!

How does it work?

Electricity from landfill is a type of biomass energy. Biomass energy is energy that comes from organic material. This includes energy from both plant and animal matter. Types of biomass fuel other than landfill include sugar cane waste, woodchips, seaweed, animal wastes and corn stalks.

Advantages

Landfill biomass energy is renewable. It is an efficient way to get rid of waste. Just imagine the rubbish from the tip could be used to provide electricity for your hometown!

Landfill energy reduces the amount and strength of greenhouse gas released from the landfill than if it were to be left to decompose. It can produce electricity more reliably than some other types of renewable energy - such as wind and solar - and the fuel is very cheap.

However, landfill gas smells badly and kills plants. But when the gas is collected and used for electricity, it helps nearby plants to grow, and makes the dump smell better.

Disadvantages

Many people are trying to recycle more which is great news for the environment, but may reduce the amount of landfill available in the future. Therefore it wouldn't be as practical an option.

Use in Australia and around the world

Australia has more than a dozen landfill gas generators - there may be one at a rubbish dump near you.

Landfill biomass energy is not the most widespread renewable energy source in the world, but it is growing. Many countries are already or will soon generate electricity from landfill.