Special Operations:

Swap Shop:

The Davidson County Swap Shop is located at the Davidson County Landfill and is open to Davidson County residents only.  The facility operates as an exchange program.  Residents can drop off unwanted, usable items and may take something in return.  Hours of operation are the same as that of the Landfill.

Landfill Gas-to-Energy Operation:

On August 20, 2007 the North Carolina Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Bill was signed into law.  This bill promotes revewable energy and efficiency through "porfolio standard".  Landfill gas (methane) meets the definition of a "renewable energy resource" in the Bill. 

Landfill gas is produced through the decomposition of waste.  It requires management to mitigate hazards such as gas fires and off-site migration.  Landfill gas is a mixture of 40-58% methane, 32-50% carbon dioxide, and 10% other materials.  Landfill gas is 21 times more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide alone. 

Benefits to Landfill Gas-to-Energy are as follows:
~The project removes emissions equivalent to 10,516 passenger cars on the road annually.
~It captures as much carbon as 13,600 acres of pine forest annually.
~Produces energy for 1000-1500 homes.
~Renewable resource with a life expectancy of 20+ years.

Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project details:
~49 gas collection wells installed in closed Holly Grove and Phase 1 Landfill units
~Wells are connected to 3-4 miles of collection piping and gas transported under vacuum to power generation facility on Landfill site.
~Gas is combusted in CAT 3520 engine genrator.
~Electricity is generated and transmitted to utility company (1.6 megawatts at capacity).
~Phase 2 Landfill to be developed for additional energy generation.

There is a Public-Private Partnership for renewable energy between Davidson County Integrated Solid Waste Department and DTE Energy/Davidson Gas Producers. 

Davidson County Landfill Site:
~Approximately 550 total acres
~Holly Grove Unite (28 acres, Closed in 1993)
~Phase I Unit (34.2 acres, Closed 2010)
~Phase 2 Unit (Active)