Center for EcoTechnology (CET) is expanding food waste diversion in New York

Collaborating with the Town of Tusten on a NYSDEC grant-funded initiative, CET is supporting a pilot to test a small-scale AD system that could serve as a model for other areas that lack organics processing capacity. The Impact Bioenergy HORSE is an AD unit the size of a shipping container, which has been placed at the town barn to process food scraps from local businesses and residents using a drop-off program. Through this project, CET is providing technical assistance to support local businesses as they evaluate waste reduction opportunities and establish food scraps collection programs. “We are thrilled to be a partner on this project,” notes Cory Mansell, CET’s Strategic Services Representative, “this project has the potential to become an exemplary model for smaller communities that do not have a composter or digestion facility nearby.”

CET was also recently awarded funding from the EPA for its Northeast Anaerobic Digestion Accelerator project. Taking place now through January 2023, this project aims to increase the use of AD for processing and recovering value from wasted food. It will support work with AD facilities, government agencies, haulers, food businesses, and their trade associations to drive food waste diversion activity. In addition to convening stakeholders, offering training, and developing new resources, CET will provide technical assistance for food businesses and AD facilities. Available support includes providing detailed recommendations to integrate source separation and diversion of food scraps into operations, offering signage templates, providing training, conducting cost-benefit analyses, and facilitating service provider connections. Those interested in this technical assistance to review opportunities for food waste prevention, donation, and diversion should contact wastedfood@cetonline.org.