Greenhouse Gas Management

Landfill gas is generated as a biproduct of waste decomposition in a landfill. The gas is equal parts methane and carbon dioxide.  As a greenhouse gas, the global warming potential of methane is 25 times that of carbon dioxide.  

The Regional District of Nanaimo has implemented several programs to reduce LFG emissions from the Regional Landfill including:

  • Organic waste bans: reducing the amount of organic waste at the landfill reduces the production of landfill gas
  • Collection and utilization systems: collecting and burning landfill gas destroys the methane and reduces its global warming potential

In 2019 the annual greenhouse gas emissions from the Regional Landfill were reduced by the equivalent of 27,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. 

Landfill Gas Collection and Utilization

The landfill gas collection system includes:  

  • The Landfill Gas Control Plant and flare system  
  • 54 landfill gas wells  
  • Seven landfill gas extraction trenches  

The collection system pulls landfill gas from the Regional Landfill. The recovered landfill gas is then sent to Cedar Road Bioenergy Inc. The Cedar Road Bioenergy facility burns the landfill gas as feedstock for two internal combustion engine and generator systems. The facility can produce 1,600 kw of electricity that is then sold to BC Hydro. When the facility is not operating methane is destroyed by burning landfill gas at the flare system.  

Industrial facility with large dome structure, blue buildings, and surrounding greenery.
Looking up at tall trees with vibrant green leaves against a clear blue sky.

Landfill Gas Monitoring

The monitoring program collects data to verify compliance with the Landfill Gas Regulation. The data is also used to optimize the performance of the landfill gas collection system and balance gas quality around the site. Greenhouse gas reductions are calculated from monitoring records from the landfill gas control plant.  

Greenhouse Gas Reporting 

The RDN tracks fuel usages of heavy equipment and building heating systems at the landfill. Greenhouse gas emissions are calculated from landfill gas recovery data and annual fuel usages. Total greenhouse gas emissions from the site are reported to the Environment and Climate Change Canada Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program each year.