Tag

Landfills

All articles tagged with #landfills

energy1 month ago•15 min saved

New Haven turns a sealed landfill into a $1.4M revenue stream using ballasted solar panels

New Haven, Connecticut, has converted a sealed municipal landfill into a revenue-generating solar farm without spending any public funds. The city signed a 20-year lease with developer Greenskies Clean Energy, securing $6,000 monthly payments for a total of $1.4 million. The array, comprising over 1,900 panels, began feeding electricity to the local grid in July 2026. Because the landfill cap cannot be pierced by traditional steel piles, the installation relies on concrete ballast blocks to secure the racks. The project generates approximately 1.4 million kilowatt-hours annually, powering roughly 200 homes, and demonstrates a viable model for monetizing idle, capped waste sites across the country.

via Autonocion.com|

#connecticut #energy #landfills

environment9 months ago•18 min saved

Pennsylvania's Ongoing Struggle with Radioactive and Toxic Oil and Gas Waste

Twenty years into fracking in Pennsylvania, the state has yet to effectively address the radioactive waste generated, with frequent alarms at landfills indicating ongoing risks to public health and the environment, despite regulatory efforts and new research showing higher levels of radioactivity than previously understood.

via Inside Climate News|

#environment #fracking #landfills

environment2 years ago•1 min saved

Landfill Methane: A Major Contributor to Climate Change

A study published in the journal Science reveals that open landfills in the United States emit methane at almost three times the rate reported to federal regulators, with some sites showing significant methane plumes. Scientists used imaging spectrometers during airplane flyovers to gather data, detecting emissions hot spots at over half of the landfills surveyed. The study highlights the need to address leaks from specialized wells and pipes at landfills, as well as to reduce waste going into landfills, as they are the third largest source of human-caused methane emissions in the United States.

via Slashdot|

#climate-change #environment #environmental-protection

climate2 years ago•1 min saved

Landfill Methane: A Major Contributor to Climate Change

A study published in the journal Science reveals that landfills are emitting methane, a potent greenhouse gas, at almost three times the rate previously reported to federal regulators. This makes landfills the third-largest source of human-caused methane emissions, contributing significantly to climate change. The study's findings highlight the need for increased awareness and action to address methane emissions from landfills.

via The New York Times|

#climate #climate-change #greenhouse-gas

environment2 years ago•3 min saved

"Surprising Levels of Methane Emissions Detected from US Landfills, Study Reveals"

A new study reveals that US landfills are emitting significantly more methane than previously reported, with average emissions 1.4 times higher than official estimates. Landfills, which account for around 20% of global human-caused methane emissions, are a major but often overlooked source of methane pollution. Advanced monitoring systems using remote sensing from aircraft, drones, and satellites provide a more accurate and comprehensive picture of methane emissions, highlighting the need for improved reporting and regulation. Scientists emphasize the importance of addressing methane emissions from landfills as a crucial step in slowing climate change, alongside efforts targeting the oil and gas industry.

via CNN|

#climate-change #environment #environmental-impact

environment2 years ago•2 min saved

Plastic Recycling Project Fails Due to Industry's Lack of Commitment

A national plastic bag recycling project is shutting down due to industry indifference, lack of funding, and credibility problems exposed by an ABC News report. The project, which directed the public to over 18,000 store drop-off locations for plastic bag and film recycling, is no longer available. ABC News found that most of the tracked recycled plastics ended up in landfills, revealing an imbalance in supply and demand. Plastic recycling has been effective at giving consumers the illusion of making a difference while not addressing the underlying industrial problems.

via Boing Boing|

#environment #environmental-impact #landfills

environment2 years ago•2 min saved

Sustainable Solutions for Discarding Pumpkins and Fall Decorations

Millions of pumpkins and other organic fall decorations are often discarded in landfills after the holidays, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. To sustainably dispose of these items, options like composting can be utilized. Composting allows for the natural decomposition of plant matter and food waste, creating nutrient-rich compost that can be used as fertilizer or mulch. Removing seeds and chopping pumpkins into smaller pieces can expedite the decomposition process. Other materials like straw bales, corn stalks, and leaves can also be composted. Food waste is a significant contributor to landfills, accounting for over 24% of municipal solid waste in the US. Taking steps to reduce food waste is an effective way for individuals to combat climate change.

via ABC News|

#climate-change #composting #environment

environment2 years ago•3 min saved

"Local Officials Urge EPA to Address Excessive Food Waste in American Landfills"

Over one-third of food produced in the U.S. is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and contributing to methane emissions that accelerate climate change. More than 50 local officials have called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help reduce food waste by expanding grant funding and technical assistance for landfill alternatives. The EPA reports highlight the urgent need to address the issue, as 58% of methane emissions from landfills come from food waste. However, reducing waste requires a significant mindset shift from individuals, as households are responsible for at least 40% of food waste in the U.S. Some local governments have taken steps to address the problem, but more support and guidance from the federal level are needed to make substantial changes.

via ABC News|

#climate-change #environment #epa

gaming3 years ago•2 min saved

"Revolutionary Solutions in Cities: Skylines 2 Tackle Landfill, Traffic, and Welfare Challenges"

Cities Skylines 2 introduces new features and improvements to services, including landfills with drawable boundaries to avoid overfilling and impact on land prices, the ability to expand and upgrade service buildings instead of building new ones, the addition of welfare offices for financial support, and the inclusion of high-speed internet as a crucial element for citizen happiness and commercial efficiency. The game aims to be the most realistic city-builder ever.

via PCGamesN|

#cities-skylines-2 #city-building-game #expansion

cryptocurrency3 years ago•3 min saved

Bitcoin's Environmental Impact: Emissions Reductions Outweigh Energy Production

Bitcoin mining may soon reduce more emissions than its energy sources produce, thanks to a fund raising $400 million to mitigate vented methane from landfills by using the gas to mine bitcoin. The fund aims to make the entire Bitcoin Network carbon negative by targeting landfills that vent methane, mitigating emissions ten times faster than other techniques. Companies like Nodal Power and Vespene Energy have already used bitcoin mining to monetize waste and mitigate landfill emissions, proving the viability of this approach. Bitcoin's scalability and transportability allow operators to target smaller landfills that may not be suitable for grid connections or larger gas collecting operations, driving a cleaner future without regulatory coercion.

via Forbes|

#bitcoin-mining #cryptocurrency #environmental-impact

environment3 years ago•8 min saved

The Truth About Plastic Bag Recycling: Investigative Report.

ABC News conducted the largest investigation of its kind into the effectiveness of America's recycling streams for plastic bags by placing trackers in dozens of plastic bags intended for recycling. Of the 46 trackers placed in bundles of plastic bags that ABC News dropped off at stores across the country, the vast majority had not ended up at locations associated with plastic bag recycling. Half the trackers launched last pinged at landfills or trash incinerators, and three last pinged thousands of miles overseas – in Asia. The American Chemistry Council, a trade association that represents plastic manufacturers and other companies, has promoted the Wrap Recycling Action Program, or WRAP, to urge the public to recycle plastic bags.

via ABC News|

#american-chemistry-council #environment #incinerators

environment3 years ago•7 min saved

The Mystery of Alabama's Months-Long Landfill Fire.

An underground landfill fire in Alabama has burned for more than four months, polluting the air for miles and sickening people and animals. For weeks, state and local authorities did little to stop it, instead bickering over their responsibilities. The site, intended to collect grass clippings and tree branches and other such waste, has been a problem for years, with state inspectors at least twice urging its private management company to close down the landfill.

via USA TODAY|

#alabama #environment #epa