In the US, governments at all levels are encouraged to decrease
the generation and increase recycling of MSWs. Regulations are
enforced to ensure safe disposal and require operators to provide
final cover and post-closure care of landfill facilities. Some landfill
facilities collect the biogas (mainly methane) generated from the
landfill wastes to generate electricity or heat. The estimated biogas
generated globally is 57 million tons but only 10 or less is collected
and used in 2000 (Themelis and Ulloa, 2007). Attempt to use
microbial fuel cells to generate electricity from landfill leachate
has also been reported (Damiano et al., 2014).