Renewable energy

Republic Services, Aria Energy and BP partner on renewable energy project

Republic Services, Phoenix, and energy partners Aria Energy, Novi, Michigan, and BP, London, announced the startup of a landfill gas to renewable natural gas (RNG) project at the South Shelby Landfill in Memphis, Tennessee. The project supports Republic's commitment to send 50 percent more landfill gas to beneficial reuse by 2030.

South Shelby Landfill is one of 189 active landfills managed by Republic Services. Aria is charged with overseeing the project, processing and purifying biogas from the landfill into RNG. BP will transport the RNG into the interstate natural gas pipeline grid and market it to renewable energy customers. This is Aria and BP's fourth RNG project at a Republic Services landfill.

"The South Shelby RNG project upholds our ongoing commitment to converting low-carbon fuel sources like landfill gas into clean, useful renewable energy for vehicles, homes and businesses," Richard DiGia, Aria Energy president and CEO, says.

The South Shelby RNG facility can produce the equivalent of nearly 33,250 gallons of gasoline daily.

"Renewable energy is a key element of Republic Services' long-term sustainability platform," Pete Keller, Republic Services vice president of recycling and sustainability, says. "We are committed to sending 50 percent more biogas to beneficial reuse in the next 10 years, and projects like South Shelby Landfill will help us meet that goal."

Landfill gas, or biogas, is produced naturally as waste decomposes. The South Shelby RNG project processes the landfill gas into low-carbon RNG, which is an upgraded, methane-rich product that can be used to fuel natural gas vehicle fleets, such as Republic's collection trucks.