Natural gas is primarily composed of methane gas and is typically produced by pumping it from the Earth as we do with oil. When it is pumped from the Earth it is classified as a non-renewable source of energy as it cannot be replenished at the same rate it is being used. However, drilling is not the only way to produce methane.
Methane is a very common gas in nature and is formed by the fermentation of organic matter. One place it loves to form is in landfills, where there is lots of decaying organic matter in just the right conditions for proper fermentation. Once viewed as a nuisance and danger, many landfill owners now collect the gas produced at their sites (known as "landfill gas") to be combined with traditionally sourced methane for use in homes.
How Does Using Green Natural Gas Help the Environment?
Natural gas itself is one of the greenest energy sources on the market itself, but mixing in methane collected at landfills makes it even more environmentally friendly on two fronts.
The first way using green gas helps the environment is by cutting down on dangerous greenhouse gases. Methane by itself has twenty times the global warming potential of CO2. This means that by collecting and burning landfill gas instead of allowing it to drift into the atmosphere, we cut down on greenhouse gas.
The second way using landfill gas helps the environment is by making your natural gas consumption more sustainable. Instead of relying on gas formed hundreds of thousands of years ago, methane from landfills is a resource that is being created in large volumes today. Not only that, but it's being created naturally as a waste product and requires less effort (and carbon emissions) to produce than traditionally-sourced natural gas.
How Can I Start Using Green Natural Gas?
Unfortunately, not everyone has access to green natural gas service yet. However, you might already be using it without even knowing. Call your current provider and ask them if they use recycled natural gas as part of your service.
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