Plastics Can Power The Future.
Plastics shouldn’t just be discarded—they should have a purpose. LFGTE Certified plastics turn the challenge of waste into an opportunity, converting landfill emissions into renewable energy that powers the world. By working within existing systems, these plastics reduce environmental impact and deliver tangible benefits. This is the future of waste management: practical, impactful, and essential.
Why LFGTE Certified Plastics Are Essential
LFGTE Certified plastics are essential for creating a cleaner, energy-efficient future. By leveraging existing landfill infrastructure, these plastics reduce greenhouse gas emissions, turn waste into renewable energy, and provide end-of-life value. They play a critical role in maximizing energy recovery while minimizing environmental impact, contributing to a sustainable waste-to-energy cycle.
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
By utilizing existing landfill infrastructure, LFGTE plastics minimize emissions from waste decomposition while reducing the need for additional waste systems.
Turn Waste into Energy
LFGTE Certified plastics are engineered specifically for landfill systems that capture and convert waste into renewable energy, reducing environmental impact while sustainably powering homes, businesses, and entire communities.
Provide End-of-Life Value
LFGTE Certified plastics go beyond disposal, turning landfill waste into a valuable energy source. By integrating with landfill gas-to-energy systems, they help generate sustainable power, reduce fossil fuel reliance, and support a circular economy.
Leverage Existing Infrastructure
LFGTE Certified plastics integrate seamlessly into existing landfill systems, avoiding the emissions, materials, and energy demands of new infrastructure while maximizing efficiency in sustainable waste management.
Support a Sustainable Waste-to-Energy Cycle
LFGTE Certified plastics are designed to maximize energy recovery while minimizing waste. Since plastic production requires energy, our certification ensures that energy isn’t lost, but recaptured.
Giving Plastics a New Purpose
Lead the Way in Sustainability
Scalable Impact
LFGTE Certified plastics utilize existing landfill gas-to-energy infrastructure, making it easy to implement at scale and drive widespread change.
Practical Solutions
Designed for real-world application, certified products break down in managed landfill environments, reducing waste and supporting renewable energy initiatives.
Return Value
By transforming waste into energy, certified products not only minimize environmental impact but also create economic value through energy recovery systems.
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How Are Landfill-Compatible Plastics Different from Compostable Plastics?Landfill-compatible plastics (LFGTE-certified) are designed to break down in oxygen-free (anaerobic) environments, such as managed landfills, where waste naturally decomposes. The key advantage is that landfills have gas collection systems that capture methane emissions and convert them into renewable energy. LFGTE-certified materials align with this infrastructure, maximizing energy recovery while reducing long-term waste accumulation. Compostable plastics require specific industrial composting facilities that maintain controlled levels of heat, oxygen, and moisture. However, access to these facilities is limited, and most compostable plastics end up in landfills, where they do not break down as intended. Additionally, compostable plastics are often incompatible with traditional recycling systems, leading to contamination and inefficiencies in waste management.
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Why focus on landfill gas-to-energy systems?Most waste ends up in landfills. Landfill gas-to-energy systems capture the methane generated by biodegradable plastics, turning it into renewable energy while reducing the environmental impact of waste.
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Why are managed landfills important for waste management?Managed landfills are the primary waste disposal system in many regions. They are designed to: Safely contain waste. Prevent contamination of soil and groundwater. Capture methane gas generated during anaerobic biodegradation, which can be used to produce renewable energy. This makes them a scalable and practical solution for handling waste while supporting energy recovery.
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How does landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) work?LFGTE systems capture methane gas emitted by biodegradable materials in landfills. This gas is then processed and converted into renewable energy, such as electricity or heat. These systems not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also provide a sustainable energy source.
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What is LFGTE Certification?LFGTE Certification verifies that plastics meet strict biodegradability standards, including compliance with ASTM D5526 testing for anaerobic conditions. Certified products break down effectively in managed landfill environments, contributing to energy capture and reducing waste impact.
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Who can apply for LFGTE Certification?Any business producing plastics designed for anaerobic biodegradation in managed landfill environments can apply. This includes manufacturers, additive suppliers, and product developers.
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What types of products can be certified?We certify plastics that are designed to biodegrade in managed landfill environments and support landfill gas-to-energy systems. This includes packaging, industrial materials, and consumer goods.
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How long does the certification process take?The process typically takes 30 days from the time a complete application is submitted. If ASTM testing is required, additional time will be needed based on lab availability.
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How long is certification valid?LFGTE Certification is valid for three (3) years. To maintain active status, companies must pay an annual licensing fee. Recertification is required every three years, which may include updated testing or documentation review. If the material composition changes, retesting may be required before the certification renewal date.
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How can certified businesses use the LFGTE Certification Mark?Certified businesses are licensed to use the certification mark on approved product packaging, marketing materials, and communications. Usage must follow our branding and licensing guidelines.
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What happens if my product is rejected?Rejected applications receive detailed feedback and guidance for resubmission. This helps businesses address compliance gaps and improve their chances of certification.
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Why choose LFGTE Certification?LFGTE Certification provides third-party verification of your product’s biodegradability and energy recovery potential. It offers a competitive edge, builds trust with consumers and partners, and aligns your business with real-world waste management systems.
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What Testing Is Required for LFGTE Certification?LFGTE Certification requires materials to demonstrate compatibility with landfill gas-to-energy systems through one of the following testing pathways: ASTM D5526– Evaluates long-term performance in landfill-simulated conditions ASTM D5511 – Assesses anaerobic breakdown under accelerated conditions ISO 15985 – Measures anaerobic degradation in high-solids digestion conditions and directly quantifies methane and CO₂ production, making a BMP test unnecessary. What if we use a proprietary additive that has already been tested? If your material contains a proprietary additive that has undergone ASTM D5526, ASTM D5511, or ISO 15985 testing, your final product must still undergo its own ASTM or ISO testing, in addition to our required BMP test to confirm methane generation performance. How do we submit our test results? Test reports must be provided as part of the certification application. If additional validation is needed, we will guide you through the process.
LFGTE Certified operates as an independent certification body and is currently working toward formal accreditation. Certification is based on established ASTM D5526, ASTM D5511, and ISO 15985 standards to verify landfill gas-to-energy compatibility.