Three Changes Facilities Managers Can Make To Cut Methane

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas responsible for around 30% of global warming to date.

In an effort to reverse environmental damage and limit climate change to 1.5°C, over 100 countries have joined The Global Methane Pledge, committing to reduce their overall emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels.

Methane, which is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, is generated under anaerobic conditions. Landfills are anaerobic systems: waste is buried, covered by new waste each day, and minimal air infiltrates. This creates ideal conditions for organic waste to break down and release methane. While gas collection infrastructure may be in place, methane inevitably escapes into the atmosphere as part of a natural process.

Here, Dr. Stephen Wise, our Chief Strategic Development Officer, shares three key changes that facilities managers (FMs) can make to start reducing methane and carbon, and to future-proof their operations in a changing world.

1. Sort and Separate Waste On-Site
   Sorting waste into three main streams—clean organic (food waste), residual (mixed waste), and separated recyclables – at the source helps FMs better understand their waste and appropriate disposal options. While not a new practice, a surprising number of organizations still don’t follow it. FMs should also be aware that if organic material is mixed with recyclables, they won’t be recycled and are instead headed to landfill or incineration.
2. Treat Some Waste Streams On-Site
   Transporting waste off-site has an environmental cost due to carbon emissions from trucks, so treating waste at the source has real benefits. Biotechnology plays a significant role here, particularly with residual waste that can’t be recycled because it includes organic matter. Biotechnology can typically reduce this waste by around 50% on-site, which means fewer collections, reduced road-related carbon, and cost savings. Most importantly, it results in much less waste going to landfill or Energy-from-Waste (EfW) incineration facilities – leading to lower methane emissions.
3. Send Separated Food Waste for Anaerobic Digestion
   This process treats fully organic waste streams to produce green energy (electricity, gas, or fuel) and delivers significant carbon savings. The loop is completed when organizations purchase this green energy.

The Methane Pledge, along with rising landfill costs, waste segregation targets, and the increasing value of the “green dollar,” has created a prime opportunity for businesses to make an impact. It’s time to innovate in how we collect, treat, and ultimately dispose of waste – a process that must begin with better education on the complete waste journey and the technologies available to assist.