New technology at Arlington landfill to turn region's waste into clean fuels and renewable energy

Landfill where Metro sends most of region's solid waste plans plasma gasification facility

Waste Management, Inc. has announced plans to develop a plasma gasification facility at the Columbia Ridge Landfill in Arlington, where Metro sends most of the region's solid waste. The planned facility will convert solid waste into clean fuels and renewable energy through a gasification process. Carbon-based materials are transformed into an ultra-clean, synthesis gas called "syngas." The clean syngas may then be converted into transportation fuels such as ethanol and diesel or industrial products like hydrogen and methanol. It could also be used as a substitute for natural gas to generate electricity or heat homes and buildings.

The new plasma gasification facility will complement the landfill site's other renewable energy production. Waste Management began generating renewable electricity at the site in January 2010 with the startup of a new landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) facility. Methane gas generated as waste decomposes in the landfill is captured and used to generate electricity. Wind power is also generated at the landfill, with 67 windmills producing more than 100 megawatts of renewable energy for PacifiCorp.

This new development, although not managed by Metro, is in line with the agency's sustainability goals. Metro will be monitoring this project with periodic progress reports from Waste Management. Construction of the plasma facility is expected to begin in the early summer, with startup scheduled by the end of this year.

Learn more about Waste Management, Inc.
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