Washington D.C., October 20, 2023 — A recent analysis by environmental nonprofit Industrious Labs has spotlighted significant methane emissions from nearly two dozen U.S. landfills, urging immediate action to address regulatory shortcomings. The report reveals that methane levels at these facilities regularly exceeded federal limits and, in some instances, were higher than what facility owners reported to the government.
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, has a short-term impact more than 80 times greater than carbon dioxide, making its control crucial in the fight against global warming. Landfills contribute over 14 percent of the United States’ methane emissions, ranking third after the oil and gas and livestock sectors.
“More and more evidence is piling up that it’s time for the EPA to act and begin that process of updating the rule,” stated Katherine Blauvelt, Circular Economy Director at Industrious Labs. The group recommends that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enhance monitoring technologies, expand regulations to include smaller landfills, and expedite the installation of gas-capturing systems as landfills grow.
The EPA acknowledges that methane emissions represent a lost opportunity to capture a valuable energy resource. In previous reports, the agency highlighted that food waste accounts for approximately 58 percent of fugitive methane emissions from landfills. Diverting food waste is seen as a critical step in reducing these emissions.
The call for action comes as global efforts to combat climate change intensify. U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration has already taken steps to curb methane emissions in the oil and gas industry and led international initiatives aimed at methane reduction. The EPA is mandated to reassess its landfill regulations by August this year, presenting an opportunity to implement stronger measures.
As climate concerns deepen worldwide, the implications of U.S. environmental policies resonate globally, including across Asia. Enhanced U.S. action on methane emissions could set a precedent for international standards, influencing policies and environmental strategies in Asian nations grappling with similar challenges.
The Industrious Labs report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address methane emissions, emphasizing that effective regulation is essential for meaningful progress in global climate initiatives.
