Landfills Unveil a Surprising New Role in Sustainable Food Production

A landfill site in Wiltshire, England, captures methane from waste to generate electricity for a massive greenhouse dome, enabling year-round sustainable produce growth even in cold winters.

The 8,450 sq-ft dome, as large as three tennis courts and 30 feet tall, uses hydroponics and raised planters to harvest 10 tons of fruits and vegetables annually, including locally grown avocados.

Operated by family-run Crapper and Sons Landfill Ltd through their Community Interest Company Sustain Wiltshire, the system collects landfill gas via wells, cleans it, and fuels a combined heat-and-power engine for lighting, heating, and fans.

Carbon dioxide from the engine exhaust is repurposed inside the dome to aid photosynthesis, turning it into oxygen while maintaining ideal growing conditions.

Produce will be sold affordably via an app with home delivery, and veggie waste collected for recycling back into the energy process.

Quick Smiles:

• World-first dome transforms landfill into low-emission food hub producing 10 tons yearly.
• Plans for 100 domes supply 80% local fruit and veg needs, create 130 jobs.
• Prevents 3,800 tons CO2 release annually while revolutionizing waste treatment.

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“It has the potential to change the face of food production as we know it,” said Nick Ash, Project Director for Sustain Wiltshire.

“On this one site alone, we have the potential to produce over 8,000 tons of affordable fruit and vegetables annually, creating 130 new jobs, while preventing the release of 3,800 tons of CO2 each year.”