High-Resolution Satellite Survey Reveals Methane Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

Strategic Insights -

New research from the US Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development has published a study on methane emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills across North America. Utilizing a constellation of nine high-resolution satellites, researchers collected data on 60 active landfills between 2021 and 2024, finding a geometric average emission estimate of 481 kg CH4 per hour. Gas collection efficiency was assessed for a subset of 25 landfills, revealing a disconnect between measured and modeled values, suggesting limitations in reconciling data for greenhouse gas inventory purposes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers used a constellation of nine high-resolution satellites to measure methane emissions from 60 active MSW landfills in North America.
  • The geometric average emission estimate was 481 kg CH4 per hour, with minimum and maximum observations ranging from 116 to 6422 kg h.
  • Gas collection efficiency was assessed for 25 landfills, with 15 of them showing greater collection efficiency than assumed in modeling data used in the 2023 US greenhouse gas inventory.
  • Measured and modeled gas collection efficiencies were poorly correlated, indicating limitations in reconciling data for inventory purposes.
  • The study highlights the need for improved data reconciliation and more accurate inventory estimates.
  • Authors include Eben D. Thoma, Max J. Krause, Ami Bryant, Halley Brantley, Megan MacDonald, Roger Green, and Susan Thorneloe.

Statistics:

  • 481 kg CH4 per hour: geometric average emission estimate across 60 landfills.
  • 116 kg h: minimum observation of methane emissions.
  • 6422 kg h: maximum observation of methane emissions.
  • 25 landfills: subset assessed for gas collection efficiency.
  • 15 landfills: showed greater collection efficiency than assumed in modeling data.
  • 60 active landfills: number of landfills surveyed in the study.

Sources:

  • A High-Resolution Satellite Survey of Methane Emissions from 60 North American Municipal Solid Waste Landfills. Environmental Science & Technology, 2025.
  • NewsRx. U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development Reports Findings in Global Warming and Climate Change (A High-Resolution Satellite Survey of Methane Emissions from 60 North American Municipal Solid Waste Landfills). Global Warming Focus. July 28, 2025; p 3945.