WM Unveils New $35 Million Eco Vista Renewable Natural Gas Facility

(WM) WM announced today (July 17, 2023) it has opened a new 14,430 square-foot renewable natural gas (RNG) facility in Springdale, Arkansas. The $35 million WM Eco Vista RNG facility is expected to recover and distribute approximately 750,000 MMBtu per year of RNG, which serves the equivalent of 25,000 households annually or the equivalent of 649 heavy-duty vehicles. A portion of the RNG produced at the facility will be allocated to WM’s U.S. fleet of CNG vehicles.

The RNG facility will process biogas collected from the Eco Vista Class 1 landfill that is generated when organic material decomposes. Eco Vista captures the biogas through gas collection and control systems, and the new RNG facility will process the biogas, which would then be delivered to Energy Transfer’s Enable Gas Transmission pipeline system. The use of RNG from the new plant is expected to avoid up to approximately 40,000 tons per year of greenhouse gas emissions from displacement of fossil fuels.

"Landfills are a vital part of any community and it is essential that landfills continually invest in environmental stewardship." --Eddie McManus -- WM Mid-South Area Vice President

"WM is proud to invest in the vibrant Northwest Arkansas region with this state-of-the-art renewable natural gas facility. We are committed to the community and excited to work with the Tontitown Grape Festival, Rollins Elementary and Northsong Wild Bird Rehabilitation,” said Eddie McManus, WM Mid-South area vice president. “Landfills are a vital part of any community and it is essential that landfills continually invest in environmental stewardship. Eco Vista features nearly 300 acres of wildlife habitat and pollinator gardens."

Construction of the Eco Vista RNG facility created over 125 construction jobs and the RNG plant will initially have four employees who oversee operations.

"This sustainable investment will be beneficial for the northwest region of our state and hopefully it will encourage other solid waste providers to seek out similar solutions." -- Randy Zook -- President and CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber

"This sustainable investment will be beneficial for the northwest region of our state and hopefully it will encourage other solid waste providers to seek out similar solutions," said Randy Zook, President and CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber. "I'm thankful for WM's continued investment throughout Arkansas."

WM has identified approximately 20 additional RNG projects for potential development, with the WM Eco Vista RNG facility being one such project. WM has plans to spend more than $1 billion on renewable energy projects between 2022 and 2026.

About WM
WM (WM.com) is North America’s leading provider of comprehensive environmental solutions. Previously known as Waste Management and based in Houston, Texas, WM is driven by commitments to put people first and achieve success with integrity. The company, through its subsidiaries, provides collection, recycling, and disposal services to millions of residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. With innovative infrastructure and capabilities in recycling, organics, and renewable energy, WM provides environmental solutions to and collaborates with its customers in helping them achieve their sustainability goals. WM has the largest disposal network and collection fleet in North America, is the largest recycler of post-consumer materials, and is the leader in beneficial use of landfill gas, with a growing network of renewable natural gas plants and the most landfill gas-to-electricity plants in North America. WM’s fleet includes nearly 11,000 natural gas trucks – the largest heavy-duty natural gas truck fleet of its kind in North America. To learn more about WM and the company’s sustainability progress and solutions, visit Sustainability.WM.com. READ MORE