Renewable Energy
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating cleaner, greener communities, Republic Services has invested in a number of renewable energy technologies at our landfills. We are proud to have in place the nation’s first Solar Energy Cover at our Tessman Road Landfill in San Antonio, Texas. The project capped a closed area of the landfill with a liner and flexible solar panels and now generates renewable energy.

For decades, Republic has tapped the gas produced naturally through the decomposition of waste as a renewable energy source. We operate landfill gas-to-energy projects at more than a quarter of our landfills nationwide. These projects provide enough energy to meet the needs of more than 360,600 homes and we’re investing in even more facilities. Using this renewable resource reduces emissions equivalent to taking more than 3.4 million cars off the road. To have the same effect, you would have to plant 4.1 million acres of pine or fir trees.

In the Flint & Mid-Michigan service area, two renewable energy programs were launched.

An electricity generating station was constructed at our Citizens Disposal Landfill in Grand Blanc, which provides 4.0 megawatts of electricity to Consumers Energy.  This is equivalent to powering more than 2,500 homes reducing the use of 100 railcars of coal each year.

A similar station was constructed at our Whitefeather Landfill in Pinconning and that location provides 3.2 megawatts of power directly to Consumers Energy.  This is equivalent to powering 2,035 homes reducing the use of 83 railcars of coal each year.