Wake County Landfill Gas to Energy Program Promotes Healthy County Initiative

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

Wake County Solid Waste is proactively reducing air pollution through the effective management of the South Wake Landfill (SWLF). The SWLF is designed, constructed, and operated in a manner to minimize impacts to the environment and public health. Wake County has been identified by the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps as the healthiest county in North Carolina for four consecutive years (2010 – 2013). The Board of County Commissioners has embarked on a goal to become the healthiest capital county in America. The physical environment is one of four health factors being addressed and air quality is one of the components of the physical environment. In an effort to improve air quality and reduce potential odors, the County voluntarily constructed an active landfill gas (LFG) collection and control system during 2010. In an effort to maximize energy recovery from the LFG generated from the biodegradable materials placed in the SWLF, the County developed a landfill gas-to-energy (LFGE) project. This project facilitates the beneficial use of the methane component of the LFG. This results in a revenue stream for the County and a reduced impact to the environment.