Technology
Green Tech Transforms Billings Waste Management and Energy Use
Composting facilities, methane capture and solar growth are altering how residents manage trash and electricity use.
How we reported this
Billings residents have begun sorting yard trimmings and food scraps differently since the city commissioned its new aerated static pile composting facility in August 2024. The plant handles 25,000 tons of material each year and is projected to extend the life of the municipal landfill by at least ten years.
The changes arrive as the city builds on its LEED for Cities Gold certification, earned in 2022 and making Billings the first Montana community and the 21st worldwide to reach that standard. Statewide data show Montana already draws about half its electricity from renewable sources, a ranking among the top ten states that supports local projects aimed at further cuts.
Composting and methane projects touch household routines
The composting operation processes biosolids and yard waste that previously went straight to the landfill. City documents tie the facility directly to lower disposal volumes, which residents see when they separate materials at the curb or drop-off sites. A separate methane capture system at the landfill now supplies fuel for the city’s trash trucks and has returned $5 million to municipal accounts so far. The same set of green projects, including LED lighting upgrades and water-conserving irrigation, produces more than $800,000 in annual savings that the city attributes to reduced operating costs.
Solar growth and partnership targets affect power bills
Solar installations in Billings have risen 40 percent since 2023, a trend recorded in city reports and visible on rooftops in both residential and commercial areas. The city’s Green Tech Partnership, launched in 2025, connects startups with larger firms to reach a 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. Montana’s existing renewable generation mix already supplies a large share of local electricity, so added solar capacity shows up first in lower peak demand and in the gradual replacement of older fixtures.
City staff have not announced new public events or enrollment deadlines beyond existing programs. Residents can review participation options for composting and solar incentives through the public works department pages listed on the city website.