Low CH4 flow landfill gas management feasibility study

Chief investigatior

Prof. Long D. Nghiem (UTS) (Lead)
Prof. Felicity Deane (QUT)

Purpose of project

Small and medium landfills in NSW face unique challenges in reducing methane emissions, including limited economies of scale, high monitoring costs, and the technical complexity of implementing abatement technologies. This project aims to assess practical, cost-effective solutions that enable these facilities to participate in Australia’s carbon crediting framework.

Impact of project

By identifying and proposing viable pathways, the project seeks to unlock opportunities for small and medium landfill operators to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), improve environmental performance, and enhance compliance with regulatory targets.

The project will specifically:

• identify suitable technologies to manage low flow landfill gas for emission reduction
• evaluate their efficiency in the context of small and medium landfill operation for possible update of the ACCU methodology.

The outcomes will support decision-makers, industry stakeholders, and NSW regional councils with scientific and evidence-based recommendations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, the project has the potential to transform small landfills from overlooked emission sources into active contributors to Australia’s net-zero transition.

Project partners