Indiana Landfill Turns Trash Gas Into Clean Energy for Homes

For years, the Decatur Hills Landfill near Greensburg, Indiana watched methane from decomposing trash simply burn off into the atmosphere. Now, that waste gas is powering local homes as clean energy.

The family-owned Best Way Disposal partnered with French cleantech company Waga Energy to build a facility that captures landfill gas and transforms it into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas. The plant went online this month as Waga Energy's eighth operational facility in the United States.

The numbers tell an impressive story. The facility can process 1,000 cubic feet of raw biogas per minute, producing enough renewable natural gas to power thousands of homes with 60 gigawatt hours annually. A three-kilometer pipeline connects the landfill directly to the local gas grid, replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy from right down the road.

"It has taken a long time to find the right partner," said Curt Publow, environmental compliance manager at Decatur Hills. Waga Energy's patented WAGABOX technology offered unique solutions to turn a wasted resource into sustainable fuel.

For the Routley family that owns Best Way Disposal, the project represents decades of commitment coming to fruition. "Our family has believed in operating our landfills responsibly and continually investing in better solutions," said Jessica Routley, the company's CEO. Transforming landfill gas into valuable renewable energy creates lasting environmental benefits for the communities they serve.

The Ripple Effect

Every year, this single facility will prevent more than 15,800 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent from entering the atmosphere. That's like taking 3,400 cars off the road permanently.

The project also proves that family businesses can lead the way on climate solutions. Best Way Disposal turned a liability into an asset, showing other landfill operators across America a profitable path toward sustainability.

Local communities benefit from cleaner air and locally produced renewable energy. Instead of flaring methane or importing fossil fuels from distant states, Greensburg residents now get clean energy from their own backyard. The renewable gas flows through existing pipelines, requiring no infrastructure changes for consumers.

Waga Energy's expansion across North America signals growing momentum for turning waste into wealth. CEO Guénaël Prince celebrated the partnership's long-term vision and commitment, noting that gas once wasted now supplies clean, local, renewable energy.

Small towns like Greensburg are becoming unlikely heroes in America's clean energy transition, one landfill at a time.