A new targeted research program to address landfill methane emissions saw the partners involved unite
during a recent visit to Griffith University’s Nathan campus.
On December 14, Griffith hosted representatives of Zeotech and Cleanaway to discuss the collaborative
research program due to commence in the new year.
Griffith and Zeotech are already partnering on a substantial dual-component program, exploring
agricultural applications for the company’s manufactured zeolites.
Manufactured zeolites, such as those developed by Zeotech, possess high gas exchange and high
surface area properties, and consequently their application to landfill cover soils could significantly boost
baseline CHâ‚„ oxidation rates via promoting chemical and biological activity in the soils.
The application of a layer of manufactured zeolite to landfill capping soils could function to intercept and
oxidise methane emitted from the underlying refuse, reducing GHG emissions.
The new research program involves a 12-month multi-stage targeted research program with Griffith to
develop and validate the application of Zeotech products for controlling landfill methane emissions.
The research program will also be undertaken in collaboration with Cleanaway Waste Management
Limited, Australia’s leading waste management, industrial and environmental services company.
The project will incorporate lab-based characterisation and infield trials aimed at establishing scientific
and economic validation for potential Zeotech product applications for methane emission control.
Dr Chris Pratt, from Griffith’s School of Environment and Science and Australian Rivers Institute, said:
“We are therefore excited to be working with key partners on such a valuable project which could help a
traditionally hard-to-abate sector achieve greenhouse gas reduction, and potentially support Australia’s
recent pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.”
Dr Taku Ide, Head of Carbon at Cleanaway, added “We are excited to collaborate with both Griffith
University and Zeotech to explore new and innovative application of zeolite to reduce fugitive methane
from landfills. Success of this research can help Cleanaway deliver on its 1.5oC aligned emissions
reduction targets.”
Peter Zardo, Managing Director of Zeotech, added “Griffith identified methane control as offering the
best near-term opportunity for zeolites to reduce GHG emissions in a carbon-centric scoping study
undertaken early 2022 and it’s pleasing to attract Cleanaway as an industry collaborator and work
together, with Griffith to develop solutions to tackle methane’s impact on sustainability.”
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas with a global warming potential more than 80 times greater than
carbon dioxide in the first 20-years following atmospheric release.
On 23 October Australia pledged to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, as part of the
Global Methane Pledge.