Mexico Closes One of World's Largest Landfills for Energy Production

03 January 2012 A collaboration between two environmental groups is to help close one of the world's largest landfills - the 927 acre Bordo Poniente Landfill in Mexico City. According to the partners - C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) and the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) - the project will stem the city's largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, generate energy, create jobs and represents a model than can be replicated around the world. A report by the BBC claimed that at its peak the site had been accepting hundreds of trucks per day delivering around 12,000 tonnes of waste. However, that figure has recently been cut in half thanks to increased recycling and composting efforts, and a cement company has agreed to buy 3000 tonnes per day to burn as fuel. The site ceased receiving solid waste in December 2011. The same day, Mexico City Mayor Ebrard announced the international public tender for a developer to close the landfill in an environmentally sound manner that optimises the capture and utilisation of methane gas to produce energy. C40-CCI said capturing methane from the Bordo Poniente landfill could reduce GHG emissions from Mexico City by 25 million tons (22.7 million tonnes) of CO2 equivalent over the next 25 years - more than one quarter of the city's total emissions - enabling it to reach emission reduction goals established in its Climate Action Program and Green Plan. The partners estimated that capturing methane from the site could generate over 250 GWh or enough power for an estimated 35,000 homes in Mexico City during the first years of operation. Further economic benefits will come from the creation of both short and long-term local jobs for contractors, service providers and qualified labour in the construction, operation and maintenance of the landfill gas capture system. According to the partners revenues from energy sales and reduced GHG emissions, as well as financial resources from the Mexican federal government and private investors, will be used to develop this project. "Closing Mexico City's Bordo Poniente Landfill is one of the most important environmental actions for the entire country," said Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard. "If it can be done here, it can be replicated elsewhere". Globally, it represents one of the largest reductions of GHGs associated with solid waste management. Read More Lead from U.S. Batteries Polluting Mexican School Yards The U.S. is sending an increasing number of end-of-life batteries across the boarder to Mexico, where the lead is removed and then re-sold or re-used, according to the New York Times. $30 Million Gasification Equipment Contract in Mexico Emerging Mexican industrial, hazardous and toxic waste disposal services company, Scorpex, has agreed an equipment purchase contract with Kentucky, U.S. based International Environmental Technologies, Inc. Permanent Rare Earth Drum Magnets for Mexican Metals Recycler Mexico based metals recycler, Kalischatarra, S. de RL de CV, has purchased two Eriez P-Rex permanent rare earth drum magnets from recycling machinery manufacturer, Eriez. Free Magazine Subscription Free Email Newsletter