Stop & Shop, Wegmans turn food waste into energy

[Sherman A1]

http://supermarketnews.com/sustainability/stop-shop-wegmans-turn-food-waste-energy

Stop & Shop announced it has broken ground on an anaerobic digester that will turn food scraps into energy at its distribution center in Freetown, Mass.

The retailer plans to transfer food waste and unsold food that cannot be donated to food banks or local farms to the anaerobic digester. Stop & Shop’s long-term goal is to divert 90% of waste going to landfills.

“We are excited to begin the groundbreaking of this facility, as it’s a clear proof point of our commitment to reducing waste across our supply chain,” Jihad Rizkallah, VP of responsible retailing for Stop & Shop parent Ahold USA, said in a press release. “Once operational, the anaerobic digester will create approximately 1.25 megawatts of clean, based load electricity, which would offset up to 40% of the

Freetown facility’s energy use. This is just one of the ways we strive to be a better neighbor, and a responsible retailer in the communities we serve.”

[Buzz Clik]

1. And in a related story:

Wastewater plant is turning GREASE and food SCRAPS into energy.

"Green" waste-to-energy equipment uses grease and food scraps to create electricity to run plant processes.

West Lafayette Indiana, October 2010.

The City of West Lafayette has completed a major renovation project at its wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and it has been in operation for over one year. The onsite equipment allows the city to convert fats, oils, and grease (called FOG) and food scrap waste from Purdue University to produce energy that is being used to augment the plant's electricity usage. This innovative waste-to-energy treatment system reduces the plant's overall operating and maintenance costs, has decreased the overall carbon footprint of the community, and reduces waste going to landfills.


http://www.westlafayette.in.gov/department/division.php?fDD=11-185

[Sherman A1]

2. Superb!

We need more of this innovation in both decreasing waste, but increasing energy sources.