Putnam Leading the Florida Green Revolution with Pilot Solid Waste Gasification Machine

Putnam County Poised to Lead Florida’s Green Revolution in Waste Recycling

Putnam County may soon take the lead in Florida’s ongoing battle for smarter, cleaner waste management. A groundbreaking pilot project, set to launch in partnership with Reasyn Technologies inc. around November 2026, aims to transform how the county—and potentially the entire state—handles solid waste.

Turning Trash into Power

The new initiative focuses on converting solid waste into Syngas, a clean and efficient energy source. The most common form of Syngas produced through this process is Methane, a gas that can be used to generate electricity and even fuel machinery.

Commissioner Larry Harvey praised the county’s foresight in not selling the landfill years ago, noting that the decision now gives Putnam the chance to become a leader in recycling innovation.

This is our opportunity to show that small counties can do big things, Putnam has a chance to move toward becoming 100% recycled.

This gas can be bottled and sold or piped directly to local resources.

Expert Support and Proven Success

The project has the strong support of Jay Tilton, head of Putnam County’s Sanitation Department. Tilton brings years of experience and a track record of success from similar waste-to-energy projects across the country.

He highlighted previous initiatives where landfills were converted into energy producers—including one site that powered a BMW factory and another that provided electricity for thousands of homes.

When asked for his thoughts on the project, Commissioner Leota Wilkinson sought Tilton’s honest opinion. His response captured the spirit of the initiative:

“Doing what is best for home.”

 

Phase 1: The Pilot Machine

The first phase of the project will see the construction of a pilot gasification machine capable of recycling 5 tons of solid waste per day into Syngas. Once the system proves efficient and stable, the project will enter

Phase 2—a massive scale-up to 150 tons of waste per day through additional modules.

In a smart twist of innovation, the upgraded system will power itself using the gas it produces, creating a self-sustaining energy cycle.

A Smarter, Cleaner Future for Putnam County

Currently, Putnam County processes around 425 tons of solid waste each day—a number that once reached 1,200 tons daily when the county accepted waste from neighboring areas. Tilton explained that while taking in other counties’ waste once seemed profitable, it was not a long-term benefit to Putnam.

This new project, however, changes everything. If successful, it promises a no-increase guarantee on solid waste taxes, the elimination of landfill “trash mountains,” and even new revenue opportunities as other counties pay Putnam to recycle their waste—this time, in a way that benefits both the environment and local taxpayers.

Leading the Way in Florida’s Green Future

With bold leadership, smart planning, and a commitment to sustainability, Putnam County is positioning itself at the forefront of Florida’s recycling and renewable energy future. What began as a simple landfill could soon become a model of innovation and environmental stewardship—proving that responsible waste management can be both eco-friendly and economically rewarding.

Putnam County isn’t just managing waste anymore—it’s turning it into opportunity.

Here is the link to the comission meeting where this took place.

Starts 1 hour 37 minutes in.

BOCC meeting-Solid Waste Pilot