Republic Services Inc., Phoenix, announced the Georgia Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has recognized the company, together with Mas Energy, Atlanta, with its Landfill Gas Utilization Excellence Award. The award was presented earlier this week at the Chapter's annual conference and awards presentation on Saint Simon Island.

The excellence award recognizes the development by Republic and Mas Energy of three landfill gas-to-energy facilities serving the metro Atlanta area. Together, the facilities generate more than 24 megawatts of electricity and are capable of powering more than 15,600 are homes.

"We are honored to be recognized with this prestigious award," says Jamey Amick, area president of Republic Services. "We are proud to be partners with Mas Energy in generating a renewable energy source that makes a meaningful and lasting environmental difference in the state of Georgia."

Landfill gas-to-energy projects involve capturing methane, a byproduct of the normal decomposition of waste, from the subsurface and routing the methane to a set of internal combustion engines or turbines, which consume the gas and turn a generator. Landfill gas-to-energy projects such as these convert the methane into electricity, which can be distributed as a renewable energy source to the local power grid.

"SWANA Georgia chapter is pleased to recognize Republic Services and Mas Energy with this deserving award," said Terry Dietsch, past president of SWANA Georgia Chapter. "We applaud them for being leaders in the production of sustainable green power. These projects are truly outstanding."

Nationwide, Republic Services operates 69 landfill gas-to-energy projects, which taken together generate enough renewable energy to power more than 250,000 homes, or the equivalent of every household in the city of Atlanta.