Canadian landfills produce the greenhouse equivalent of 5 million cars.

Methane emissions from landfills account for 2.9 per cent of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions. In the year 2010, that figure is expected to be 19 per cent higher. Methane comes from decomposing organic materials, including food, yard waste, diapers, paper and cardboard. Up to 70 per cent of urban landfill waste generates methane gas. Capturing and burning landfill methane would reduce total emissions. Although burning methane produces carbon dioxide, methane is 21 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (over its 100 year lifespan). Canada can reduce these methane emissions by requiring that landfills of one million tons or more capture and burn methane. This methane could be used as a source of “green” power to replace non-renewable, fossil fuel power sources. Energy produced from landfills earns money; the City of Toronto receives $2.5 million per year from its landfill gas electricity projects.

Composting reduces landfill methane. Photo courtesy Halifax Regional Municipality

Alternatively, keeping organic material from reaching landfills prevents methane generation, as well as reducing acid leacheate, which contaminates groundwater. The city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, has one of the world's most progressive organic waste strategies - a municipal compost program reduces annual methane emissions by more than 500,000 tons (carbon dioxide equivalent).