Dramatic reduction in emissions of methane from landfills in the Netherlands: additional measures considered

Figures & data

Figure 1. Methane emission from landfills 1990–2007 (source: www.milieuennatuurcompendium.nl reference code PBL/MNC/aug08/0160 and (Emissieregistratie 2009)).

Figure 2. Schematic view of types of measures.

Table 1. Former landfill types.

Scenario	Operation period	Area (hectare)	Waste amount (m^3 per year)
1. Very old landfill	1950–1960	2	4000
2. Small old landfill	1975–1980	2	8000
3. Large old landfill	1970–1985	10	54000
4. Small landfill	1990–1995	2	12000
5. Large landfill	1985–1995	15	150000

Table 2. Landfill gas extraction revenues (based on assumption of €20 per CO₂-equivalent) and conclusions.

Scenario	Operation period	Revenues period, 2009–2020 (Euro)	Conclusions (summary)
1. Very old landfill	1950–1960	2,500	Revenues do not cover costs of potential measures
2. Small old landfill	1975–1980	23,000	Revenues do not cover costs of potential measures
3. Large old landfill	1970–1985	500,000	Revenues are calculated for 100% utilization of methane. In practice a maximum of 70% is realistic. Then revenues will not cover costs of potential measures (over a period of 12 years)
4. Small landfill	1990–1995	156,000	Revenues do not cover costs of potential measures
5. Large landfill	1985–1995	3,132,000	Flaring of low-calorific landfill gas and increasing the amount of gas wells might be cost effective
			Early sealing of landfill specific for landfill gas capture is not viable
			A site specific business case shall give further insight in potential measures

Emissieregistratie . 2009 . Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving Bilthoven, CBS, Den Haag, RWS-Waterdienst, Lelystad, SenterNovem-Uitvoering Afvalbeheer, Utrecht en TNO, Utrecht

 Google Scholar