A new field trial at Republic Services’ Sunshine Canyon Landfill in Sylmar, California, is putting microbes to work in a bid to curb methane emissions and control odors. Developed by Windfall Bio, this approach uses naturally occurring soil microorganisms — referred to as “mems” — that consume methane while also breaking down hydrogen sulfide and other odor-causing compounds.
Michael Stewart, General Manager of Sunshine Canyon Landfill, discussing the project says “We remain committed to embracing solutions for better environmental management of landfills for our local communities.”
The project responds to longstanding challenges with traditional gas collection systems, which often fail to fully capture surface emissions. By applying these microbes directly to the landfill cover, the trial aims to demonstrate a practical, low-barrier addition to existing landfill management strategies. Unlike conventional infrastructure-heavy solutions, this microbial method can be integrated into current operations without major overhauls.
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