Is landfill gas CO₂ harder to purify than other sources?

Landfill gas contains trace contaminants including siloxanes, hydrogen sulfide, and volatile organic compounds that require removal before CO₂ can reach beverage-grade purity. CleanCycleCarbon's multi-stage cryogenic purification process is designed to handle these contaminants and produce a final product at 99.9% purity meeting ISBT specifications.

Feedstock: Landfill Gas

CO₂ Capture from Landfill Gas

Q: How much CO₂ is in landfill gas?

Landfill gas typically contains 45-55% methane and 35-45% CO₂, with smaller amounts of nitrogen, oxygen, and trace contaminants. When the gas is upgraded to RNG (pipeline-quality methane), the CO₂ fraction is separated and usually vented. For a large landfill-to-RNG operation, this can represent tens of thousands of tons of CO₂ vented per year.

Q: Does the landfill operator need to invest capital?

No. CleanCycleCarbon develops, funds, builds, and operates the CO₂ capture and purification system. The landfill or RNG operator provides access to the CO₂-rich gas stream. No capital investment is required from the host.

Landfills are the largest source of biogas in the US — and the largest untapped source of capturable CO₂.

The Landfill Gas CO₂ Opportunity

There are over 2,600 operational landfills in the United States, and hundreds are actively converting landfill gas to renewable natural gas. During the upgrading process, CO₂ — which makes up 35-45% of raw landfill gas — is separated from methane and vented to the atmosphere.

For a single large landfill-to-RNG facility, this can mean tens of thousands of tons of CO₂ vented annually. Across the industry, the total is enormous. CleanCycleCarbon captures this CO₂ on-site and purifies it to FDA-registered, beverage-grade quality using a proprietary cryogenic process.

Landfill gas-to-RNG is one of the fastest-growing segments of the renewable energy market, driven by federal RINs, state LCFS programs, and voluntary sustainability commitments. Each new project creates a new CO₂ capture opportunity.

Why Landfill Gas Is a Prime CO₂ Source

Massive Scale

Landfills produce more biogas than any other source category in the US. A single large landfill can generate CO₂ volumes comparable to a mid-size ethanol plant.

Long Operating Life

Landfills produce gas for decades after waste placement. Unlike seasonal agricultural sources, landfill gas production is continuous and predictable over very long time horizons.

Nationwide Distribution

Landfills exist in every state. This geographic distribution enables building a CO₂ supply network that serves regional markets instead of shipping product across the country.

Growing RNG Conversion

Hundreds of landfills are converting from flaring or electricity generation to RNG upgrading. Each conversion creates a new, concentrated CO₂ stream ready for capture.

The Purification Challenge

Landfill gas is one of the more challenging feedstocks for CO₂ purification. It contains siloxanes (from personal care products in the waste), hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds, and higher moisture levels than other biogas sources. All of these must be completely removed to meet beverage-grade specifications.

CleanCycleCarbon's multi-stage cryogenic process is designed for exactly this challenge. Gas conditioning removes bulk contaminants, then low-temperature separation produces a final product at 99.9% purity meeting ISBT and FDA specifications. The technology has been proven at commercial scale.

Benefits for Landfill and RNG Operators

Zero capital investment: CleanCycleCarbon funds, builds, and operates the CO₂ capture system. The host provides access to the gas stream.

New revenue from vented CO₂: CO₂ that was a waste byproduct becomes a commercial product generating revenue through established distribution channels.

Improved carbon intensity scores: Capturing CO₂ instead of venting can improve CI scores under LCFS and similar programs, potentially increasing the value of RNG credits.

No operational burden: CleanCycleCarbon manages all aspects of the capture operation from commissioning through ongoing maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much CO₂ is in landfill gas?

Landfill gas is typically 35-45% CO₂. For a large landfill-to-RNG operation, this can represent tens of thousands of tons of CO₂ vented per year.

Is landfill gas CO₂ harder to purify?

Landfill gas contains siloxanes, H₂S, and VOCs that require additional treatment. Our multi-stage cryogenic process handles these contaminants to produce 99.9% purity CO₂ meeting ISBT specs.

Does the landfill operator need to invest capital?

No. CleanCycleCarbon funds, builds, and operates the entire system. The host provides access to the CO₂-rich gas stream.

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