On March 4, the Energy Solutions Forum welcomed Christian Colline, the director of Air Programs – West Tier for WM (formerly Waste Management), to discuss how the company converts landfill emissions into renewable natural gas.

Colline is a Registered Professional Chemical Engineer with more than 35 years of experience working in air quality and landfill gas management. His talk explored the different technologies employed by WM to manage and mitigate methane emissions and develop new fuel sources.

Colline started his career as a chemical engineer, out source testing pollutants emitted from smokestacks. After working at a consulting firm for several years, his expertise grew in landfill emissions. He eventually landed a job with WM, where he began working on methane emissions management.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, municipal solid waste landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the U.S. Methane is a short-lived but potent greenhouse gas, making it a high-priority target for emissions reductions.

“Managing our landfills to protect the environment is a strategic priority,” Colline said. “We are currently the nation’s largest producer of landfill gas-to-energy and renewable natural gas, which are crucial sources of power for residential and business customers, as well as our trucks.”

Landfill operators have implemented methane capture systems that prevent the methane from being released into the atmosphere and allow for the potential conversion of that gas into fuel.

“By investing in current and emerging technologies at your landfills, we are helping drive sustainability forward,” Colline added.

For those interested in learning more about the Waste Management facility in Lockwood, a tour is available on April 8 at 2 p.m. at the Lockwood landfill site. Email Jill Lorenz to reserve a spot on the tour. Space is limited.