Energy challenges

02 June 2011

Gases emitted from landfills are transformed into clean energy

To take care of household solid waste was the theme discussed this afternoon in the C40. Speakers from the cities of Sao Paulo, Lima (Peru), Mexico City (Mexico), Jakarta (Indonesia) and Changsha (China) met to share experiences about capturing gas from landfills to obtain clean energy. The objective was to collaborate with cities interested in developing similar programs.

Although to make energy from waste gas is beneficial to the environment, cities that develop the action have concerned about the increase of local landfills compared to the population growth related to the number of house constructions. For Chen Xianchun, from Changsha, it is crucial that the population are helpfull, and they have to understand that only waste not recycled should be sent to the landfill. To Invest in reuse programs is an usual challenge.