Sustainable Resource

Redwood’s clean energy and recycling initiatives are designed to help the County achieve its goal of reducing GHG emissions to 30% below 1990 levels by 2020.

Landfill Gas to Energy Plant – Constructed in 2017, the $14.5 million landfill gas to energy plant converts landfill gas to clean, renewable electricity for use by Marin Clean Energy (MCE) customers. The 3.9 megawatt plant generates enough electricity to service an estimated 5,000 customers annually.

Expanded Composting Facility – In 2014, Redwood tripled its composting capacity while reducing the associated composting emissions by 50 percent by installing a Covered Aerated Static Pile (CASP) system. Ton per ton the CASP system reduced GHG emissions by 80 percent compared to traditional windrow composting.

C&D Materials Recovery Facility – Diverting construction and demolition materials from the landfill has the potential to recycle 120,000 tons of materials annually. Redwood will construct a facility dedicated to the collection of C&D for recycling. Currently, these materials are separated at the landfill for recycling off-site.

Solar – In 2010, Redwood installed solar panels that generate enough energy to power the site’s administration offices.

At the Redwood Landfill, yesterday’s trash is today’s electricity, thanks to a renewable energy plant completed in 2017. The plant converts landfill gas, produced from decomposing organics, into clean electricity. It generates 3.9 megawatt of power, enough to serve 5,000 Marin Clean Energy (MCE) customers daily.

Unlike solar or wind energy, this renewable energy source is available 24/7, regardless of the elements. It is also estimated to eliminate 8,900 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually based on equivalent energy production from traditional fossil fuel methane gas-generated electricity.

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