Mexico City to Open Large Biogas Plant

Since Mexico City has recently decided to close one of the biggest landfills in the world, handling trash is an emerging problem that has to be tackled as soon as possible.

The main strategy taken into consideration by authorities highlights the construction of a major biogas plant, capturing and converting methane obtained from trash into a viable source of clean energy.

A second green idea announced by Mexico City officials is to turn old into new, giving a different purpose to construction waste while transforming it into sustainable building material. A recycling plant is part of the future plans, seeking to reuse some of the waste discarded by residents, Treehugger informs.

The biogas plant seems to be like a great idea with a lot of potential, taking into account that several local companies appear to be interested in energy obtained from methane.

Cemex SAB, a cement company, is eager to buy 3,000 tons of solid trash and exploit is as a sustainable source of fuel.

To make sure that the city streets will stay clean in the near future, authorities are counting on the help of 1,500 “waste pickers” who will gather and sort the discarded trash.

A biogas plant relying on the waste-to-energy system could be a viable option, taking care of almost 12,000 tons of waste brought to Bordo Poniente Landfill on a daily basis.

It seems that the methane obtained from garbage could provide more than 250 Gwh of eco-friendly energy, enough to supply 35,000 homes from Mexico City in only one year.

According to the officials involved in this project, a safe, cost-efficient waste management can be translated into the most successful greenhouse gas reduction strategy implemented worldwide.

Trash discarded in landfills generates anthropogenic methane, which is up to 23 times more harmful than carbon dioxide emissions. By closing the landfill and capturing methane following the waste-to-power cycle, Mexico City will be able to cut down its overall emissions by up to 25%, over the next quarter century.

"The Bordo Poniente project is a bold step that serves as a shining example of the impact C40 and the Clinton Climate Initiative can have in supporting cities' efforts to green their environments and their economies. Through actions such as this, we can implement solutions on a local level that will truly make a difference globally," explained New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.