Midwest landfills are adopting TIEROC, an engineered alternative daily cover (ADC) made from clean, recycled wood, to preserve airspace, capture more methane, and boost renewable natural gas (RNG) revenue. The shift mirrors industry momentum: the share of landfill gas upgraded to RNG has climbed from 19% in 2020 to about 40% in 2024, and biogas investment topped $1B in both 2023 and 2024.
Why this matters now
- RNG is scaling fast. Since 2020, a much larger portion of landfill gas has been converted to RNG, nearly a 2× jump.
- Capital is flowing. Developers have invested more than $1 billion in biogas projects two years running, signaling durable market demand.
- Compliance still rules. ADC must meet state requirements and performance expectations for daily cover.
What is TIEROC?
TIEROC is a high-performance ADC engineered from clean, recycled wood. It covers the working face cleanly, resists weather slowdowns, and helps landfills preserve airspace while supporting methane capture for RNG projects.
“TIEROC is more than a cover solution, it’s a revenue catalyst,” said Greg Kutschke, Executive Vice President of TIEROC. “By preserving airspace, enabling methane capture, and fueling RNG production, TIEROC helps operators turn compliance into profitability.”
Key benefits (at a glance)
- Optimized RNG performance: Consistent cover that supports steady biogas generation and capture.
- More capacity, less cost: Preserves valuable airspace by replacing thick soil lifts with lightweight cover.
- Weather-resistant uptime: Applies cleanly in rain, snow, and freeze-thaw cycles, keeping crews and equipment moving.
- Compliance-ready: Designed for clean, consistent application that passes inspector scrutiny.
- Circular economy loop: Recycled rail ties → clean wood → ADC → methane capture → RNG → renewable power.
“The future leaders in waste management will be the landfills that move beyond traditional cover methods and embrace RNG as a strategic asset,” said Steven Berglund, President of Midwest Companies. “TIEROC ADC helps operators capture more value from every ton of waste, fueling both profitability and sustainability.”
How TIEROC supports RNG projects (simple flow)
- Clean, even daily cover → fewer operational slowdowns and better gas collection continuity.
- Preserved airspace → extended landfill life and improved economics.
- Stable methane capture → better alignment with the market’s growing gas-to-RNG conversion.
Market snapshot: Why the timing is perfect
- RNG share growth: 19% (2020) → ~40% (2024).
- Developers added more biogas capacity in 2024 than from 2019–2022 combined.
- >$1B annual biogas investment in 2023 and 2024.
These trends suggest that operational choices that stabilize gas yield, like consistent, high-quality ADC, are increasingly valuable.
ADC & compliance: What regulators expect (example)
- Daily cover: compacted six inches of soil or an approved ADC.
- Approval path: plan of operation or plan modification; many agencies use trial periods to validate performance and define conditions.
- Purpose of daily cover: control vectors, odors, fires, and litter; enable safe traffic; and limit nuisances, i.e., performance matters.
Practical takeaway: A consistent, weather-tolerant ADC helps meet these standards day in, day out.
Q&A (operator-focused)
Q1: What exactly is Alternative Daily Cover (ADC)?
ADC is a regulator-approved substitute for the six inches of soil required at the end of each operating day on the working face of a municipal solid waste landfill. States outline approval processes and conditions of use.
Q2: How do approvals typically work?
Use of ADC generally requires a plan of operation approval or modification. Expedited options may exist for common materials; otherwise, formal trials, often three to six months, let operators and agencies verify performance and set conditions.
Q3: Why does TIEROC help RNG performance?
TIEROC preserves airspace and supports consistent methane capture by delivering reliable daily cover in all weather, aligning with the industry’s growing conversion of landfill gas to RNG.
Q4: Does a “cleaner” ADC application matter for inspectors?
Yes. Guidance emphasizes that daily cover must perform, controlling vectors, litter, odors, and more, not just exist on paper. Clean, even application improves outcomes and inspections.
Q5: What about trials and conditions during bad weather?
Trial approvals and conditions can specify methods, rates, and weather limitations to ensure ADC stays effective under wind, rain, or freezing conditions.
Glossary (quick reference)
- ADC (Alternative Daily Cover): Approved substitute for soil to cover waste daily.
- Airspace: Usable landfill volume; preserving it extends site life and improves economics.
- RNG (Renewable Natural Gas): Pipeline-quality gas made by upgrading biogas from landfills, farms, or wastewater plants.
How to get started
- Evaluate current daily cover performance (wind, wet, freeze-thaw).
- Assess the approval pathway (plan modification vs. expedited, trial period).
- Model the economics: airspace preserved, uptime gains, and potential RNG yield stability relative to soil or rock cover.
About TIEROC
TIEROC is an engineered ADC made from clean, recycled wood that helps operators improve compliance, preserve airspace, reduce costs, and support RNG growth, turning daily cover into an energy and revenue asset.
Talk with our team: Greg Kutschke, EVP: (847) 426-6354 • Greg@mwcompanies.com
