In the United States (US), Waga Energy Inc., the North American arm of French landfill gas (LFG) to renewable natural gas (RNG) producers and technology providers Waga Energy SA, has announced that it has been selected to build, own, and operate a renewable natural gas (RNG) production unit at the Eco-Hill Landfill in Atkinson, Illinois, an affiliate of Lakeshore Recycling Systems LLC (LRS), one of the leading regional waste management companies in the Midwest.
Owned and operated by an LRS-affiliated company, the Eco-Hill Landfill currently accepts more than 1 million tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) per year, most of it collected in the greater Chicago area.
Landfill gas (LFG) generated by the landfill is currently captured by the landfill’s existing gas collection system and flared.
Utilize existing resources
The project will give this gas a new outlet, converting waste collected in Illinois into an energy resource for the Atkinson area and the wider region.
The planned LFG-to-RNG facility will give this gas a new outlet, converting waste collected in Illinois into an energy resource for homes and businesses in the Atkinson area and the wider region.
The unit will have an initial capacity of 3,000 SCFM and will be equipped with the WAGABOX technology, developed and patented by Waga Energy.
This technology upgrades LFG into pipeline-quality RNG for direct injection into the local gas grid. Once operational, the facility will produce up to approximately 610,000 MMBtu of RNG per annum.
Partnering with Waga Energy to convert landfill gas into clean, renewable energy strengthens our region and demonstrates our commitment to sustainability. This project reduces significant emissions and delivers the kind of environmental leadership our customers expect from LRS, said Matt Spencer, CEO of LRS.
By substituting fossil gas, the project will avoid approximately 47,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) annually in emissions, based on the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculation methodology.
Under a long-term agreement, Waga Energy will finance the unit and market the RNG it produces; in return, Eco-Hill Landfill will receive a share of the revenue generated by these sales.
The unit is expected to reach commercial operation in 2028.
We are honored to partner with LRS on this project. By producing high-quality RNG on site, we will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide the community with a reliable, local, and renewable source of energy. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to environmental protection and to the people of Atkinson and Illinois, said Guénaël Prince, Co-Founder and CEO of Waga Energy Inc.
