The process of capturing methane or "landfill" gas begins after organic waste dumped at the landfill is digested by anaerobic bacteria. The bacteria produces methane, which is recovered via a series of wells drilled into the landfill. The wells are connected by a common pipe system. A section of the pipes called the lateral system creates a vacuum and sucks the gas into a nearby compression facility.

Once the methane gas is at the facility, blowers continue to push it, at a temperature of 99 degrees Fahrenheit, through the system at a positive pressure. After this process, the gas cools between 75 to 80 degrees. The landfill gas is then de-watered and cooled by chillers to 30 degrees to remove dirt and other small particles. The gas then passes through a micron filter and is heated again.

To complete the process, the gas is pumped into six 20-cylinder combustion engines, which power several generators to make electricity. Each engine can produce 1.6 megawatts of electricity, equaling an energy output of 9.6 megawatts.   

According to Waste Management, converting trash to energy reduces the volume of waste by 90 percent, saving valuable space in landfills while providing a viable and economical alternative to the use of fossil fuels.