Landfill biogas powers green dome that grows fruits and vegetables: unique project

A landfill in Wiltshire, about 145 km from London, began taking advantage of the gas generated by garbage to produce the necessary energy and grow fruit and vegetables all year round under a heated dome. The experiment seeks to convert waste spaces into local production centers with low emissions and direct deliveries to nearby communities.

The prototype occupies approximately 785 m² (equivalent to three tennis courts) and reaches nearly 9 meters in height; According to those responsible, it can produce around 10 tons of food per year. The initiative is promoted by Crapper and Sons Landfill Ltd., a family business that created the social entity Sustain Wiltshire to allocate the proceeds to public benefit.

How the system works

The project takes advantage of the gas that is generated when waste decomposes. Through wells distributed in the landfill, a mixture rich in methane along with carbon dioxide and other compounds; That mixture is cleaned to remove hydrogen sulfide and other impurities before use.

A cogeneration plant transforms the biogas in electricity and heat to maintain growing conditions within the domo: heating, ventilation and ultraviolet lights. In addition, carbon dioxide captured from the engine exhaust is purified and introduced into the greenhouse to promote the photosynthesis of the crops.

The technology combines hydroponic systems and raised beds, which allows growing everything from vegetables to more temperature-demanding fruits, such as avocados, which are usually imported to the United Kingdom.

• Capture of landfill gas through wells.
• Gas cleaning to remove harmful compounds.
• Conversion of biogas into electrical and thermal energy (cogeneration).
• Use of heat, electricity and CO2 for cultivation in domes.
• Direct sale to local consumers and return of organic waste to close the cycle.

Food would be distributed through an app and home deliveries, avoiding the need for large storage centers and long transport chains. Organic waste from homes would be collected and returned to the landfill to produce more biogas, thus closing a cycle of use.

Local impact and possible expansion

If the pilot demonstrates technical and economic feasibility, the company plans to install up to 100 domes on the same site, an expansion that, according to its estimates, could cover up to 80% of the demand for fruits and vegetables in three nearby towns within a period of ten years.

The numbers used by the promoters point to an annual capacity of more than 8,000 tons of product, the creation of around 130 jobs and the avoidance of approximately 3,800 tons of CO2 per year, always subject to confirmation of the results in operation.

Benefits and limitations

• Local production: reduces transportation and postharvest losses.
• Lower carbon footprint: takes advantage of emissions that would otherwise be released.
• Circularity: integrates organic waste into the energy system itself.
• It requires a constant source of biogas and precise technical management.
• Scalability depends on permissions, market demand and initial costs.

The project is not isolated: alternative uses of biogas are being explored in other countries—from fuel production to environmental restoration of old landfills—which underlines a global trend to recover value from sites previously considered only as waste.

In Wiltshire, those responsible present the dome as a proof of concept with the potential to transform waste management and food production at a local level. Still, the final results and replicability of the model will depend on technical audits, market behavior and community acceptance in the coming months.

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