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Harmful Effects The toxic water that seeps through landfills often leaks and contaminates groundwater resources. In 2005, the gases emitted in wastewater treatment and through landfills accounted for 2.3 percent of the GHG emis- sions in the US.

Harnessing Landfill Gas Initiatives are being taken for reducing the environmental impact of the GHG. Since methane is a very potent GHG, it is reduced to CO 2 to ease its overall effect on global warming. This process is known as flaring. The methane emitted from landfills is also being recovered for heating and generating electricity. Various gas-to-energy projects aim at utilizing landfill gas to generate elec- tricity.

Landfill processes

● ● In 1986, the concentration and spread of landfill gas destroyed property in Loscoe, England. ● ● Methane traps thirty times more heat than CO 2 and contributes to 18 percent more energy. Climate Facts

Recycling Works!

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