Methane (CH4) is a powerful greenhouse gas, over 20 times more effective at trapping heat
than CO2. It remains in the atmosphere for between 9 and 15 years. Methane is one of the
key ingredients in natural gas and represents a powerful energy source if it can be tapped. For
this reason, it is desirable to attempt to capture methane emissions so that they may be
used for energy if possible.
Within the United States, landfill gas emissions make up the most significant portion
of anthropogenic (human-related) CO2 emissions. Landfill gas is responsible for a
full third of the methane which is released into the atmosphere by human activities
in the United States every year.