6 Nov 08 - Waste Gas Recycling Plan

In a first for the Mid North Coast, landfill gas is to be captured and may be used to help run one of the waste management plants at the Coffs Coast Resource Recovery Park in Englands Road. 

Council last night resolved to enter into a ten-year contract and lease agreement with AGL Energy Sales and Marketing Ltd for the company to build and operate a landfill gas extraction system at the Park. 

"The whole focus of the new waste management facilities that Council and its partners are creating at the Coffs Coast Resource Recovery Park is all about reuse and recycling," said Coffs Harbour Mayor, Councillor Keith Rhoades, who is also Chair of Council's Land Use, Health and Development Committee.  

"By capturing this gas, we will cut down on odours - which will be welcomed by the site's neighbours.  We will also cut the amount of harmful CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere from the landfill by possibly as much as the equivalent of 17,000 tonnes per annum.  The waste management plant that is operated by Biomass Solutions uses bottled gas, a fossil fuel, to heat the steam needed for its processing operations. Negotiations are in train to use landfill gas instead which would mean further environmental savings. 

"This whole plan is a positive - it provides benefits for the environment, the wider community and the waste facility's neighbours," he said.  

Jeff Green, Council's Environmental Services Manager, said landfill gas typically comprises about 55% methane, about 40% carbon dioxide and other gases including water vapour, nitrogen, non-methane organic gases, odourous sulfides.  

"The odorous gases give the landfill gas mixture its characteristic 'rotting' smell. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, one tonne of which is equivalent to 21 tonnes of carbon dioxide," he said. "Without an extraction system, these gases escape from the landfill causing odours, safety risks and greenhouse emissions. By flaring off captured gas and hopefully using it as an energy source, we will be mitigating all these issues," he said.  

Mr Green said the project has the potential to generate significant income as part of the Federal Government's Greenhouse Friendly programme and through the NSW Greenhouse Abatement Certificates scheme. Alternatively, it could help cut the costs Council potentially faces in purchasing Carbon Pollution Permits under the proposed Federal Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. 

It is estimated that a final design for the gas extraction facility will be available by February 2009 with construction beginning in April 2009 and construction completed by July 2009.