The success of landfill gas management programs can be aided by monitoring the gases present at each landfill site, improving outcomes during operation as well as in the years after the operation has ceased. There are three main benefits of measuring and recording the gases produced by landfill waste:
- The health of the landfill – Measuring concentrations with landfill gas monitoring equipment allows users to monitor the state of decomposition, as well as the health of the gas-generating bacteria. This can prevent subsurface fires and keep the decomposition stable. Continuous monitors such as the GasClam2 Ground Gas Monitor can provide users with long-term unattended measurements and keep users up to date on the health of the landfill.
- Operational efficiency & resource recovery – By understanding waste decomposition and precisely monitoring gas flows, managers can significantly streamline operations and optimise landfill gas extraction. This proactive approach not only mitigates environmental risks and reduces fugitive emissions, but also enables the efficient capture of methane for conversion into a valuable and sustainable energy source, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Regulatory compliance – In Australia, landfills are regulated by each state's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) bodies. The primary objectives of these regulations are to manage potential hazards, adverse environmental impacts, and the potential loss of amenities from landfill gas, dust, and odour during both landfill operation and post-closure. Links to state EPA landfill management information are available below.