Food waste accounts for approximately 12.5 percent of total municipal solid waste (MSW) generated and occupies 22 percent of landfills in the U.S., according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When organic material decomposes in a landfill, methane emissions are released as greenhouse gases. In order to reduce waste and convert organics into valuable products such as renewable natural gas (RNG) or nutrient-filled fertilizer, separating these organics from the rest of the MSW waste stream is needed. Following diversion, food waste may be converted by composting or standalone anaerobic digestion, farm-based use or by being utilized at wastewater treatment plants. With an increase in food disposal regulations promoting the growth of the organic waste processing industry, organics processing facilities are being faced with elevated volumes. This translates to a critical need for controlling resultant air pollution at these sites. More >>
