Turning Garbage into Gold: Greenlane’s Methane Play

New landfill gas technology aims to cut costs and improve renewable fuel efficiency across the US

5 Nov 2025

Greenlane Renewables has announced a new landfill gas system aimed at improving methane recovery and reducing costs in renewable natural gas (RNG) production. The technology, known as the Linear Nitrogen Rejection Unit (LNRU), was unveiled in October 2025 and marks a step toward more efficient use of landfill emissions.

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, has long been difficult and costly to capture and convert into usable fuel. Greenlane said the LNRU simplifies the gas-cleaning process, allowing operators to extract more methane while consuming less power. The company described the system as both more energy-efficient and more economical than existing methods.

The American Biogas Council estimates that a five per cent improvement in methane recovery nationwide could yield billions of cubic feet of renewable fuel annually. Analysts say innovations such as Greenlane’s may help achieve that target, though commercial validation is still pending.

Greenlane expects to deliver its first LNRU system by the end of 2026. The unit’s smaller footprint and lower energy demand are designed to make it accessible for smaller landfill operators, who often face cost barriers to entering the biogas market. The company believes this could spur additional investment and job creation in the renewable gas sector.

The initiative also reflects a broader shift within the clean energy industry, from simply expanding renewable capacity to refining how those fuels are produced. As the US tightens emissions standards and demand for low-carbon energy grows, improving process efficiency has become a central focus for developers and policymakers alike.

If successfully deployed, Greenlane’s system could help position landfill gas recovery as a more scalable contributor to America’s clean energy transition, turning waste streams into a more reliable source of renewable power.