Which landfill setting to use in the Pallet Fate Report
Use WARM's national average (−0.92 MTCO2E per short ton for dimensional lumber) unless you know how your landfill handles gas. Landfills without gas recovery are also −0.92, with flaring −1.01, and with electricity generation −1.02 (Exhibit 12-16). The choice changes results by about a tenth of a ton per ton.
The variants
| Setting | Factor | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| National average | −0.92 | You don't know the landfill's gas system |
| No gas recovery | −0.92 | Small or older landfills without collection |
| Recovery and flaring | −1.01 | Gas collected and flared |
| Recovery and electricity | −1.02 | Gas collected and used to generate power |
Why it matters little
For wood, landfill carbon storage (−1.09) dominates the factor, and methane is only 0.15 even without capture. The landfill setting matters less than the weight per pallet you choose.
Finding out
Your hauler or the landfill operator can tell you whether gas is collected and how it's used. Note the answer and its date in your records.
Recording the choice
Whatever setting you choose, record it with the result. The Pallet Fate Report puts the landfill setting in its CSV and PDF exports so the choice travels with the numbers.
Sources
- Documentation for Greenhouse Gas Emission and Energy Factors Used in WARM, Version 16: Construction Materials Chapters, ch. 12 Wood Products (EPA-530-R-23-020) U.S. EPA. Accessed October 27, 2026. Exhibits 12-3 (p. 12-3), 12-9, 12-13, 12-15 and 12-16 (p. 12-10).