Our Impact
The Trends
PROBLEM: FOOD WASTE
Nearly 40% of food processed in the U.S. is never consumed and 97% of food waste is landfilled. Food waste represents the single largest solid waste stream reaching landfills. Current disposal methods are expensive, with end results that pollute air, water and soil. This trend is unsustainable, and many local landfills are expected to reach full capacity within 10 years. Communities are seeking (and in some cases mandating) alternative ways to process organic waste streams, and Green Era is well positioned to help.
“Chicago produces about 55 million pounds of food waste per month. A lot this food waste can be prevented or composted.”
The Opportunity
Demand for locally grown food is increasing, but there is an inadequate supply of clean, healthy soil for use by local, urban growers and farmers. The large volumes of organic, nutrient-rich compost produced by Green Era’s process can fill this void. By partnering with Urban Growers Collective, a nonprofit focused on urban agriculture, Green Era has a direct outlet for the nutrient-rich materials produced in its Anaerobic Digestion process. This strategic relationship allows Green Era to truly “close the loop” between organic waste, renewable energy, and local food production.
Soil is the forgotten hole in our food chain.
Soil in Chicago is contaminated with high levels of lead, toxins from gasoline and heavy metals from factories. Anaerobic Digestion technology allows us to turn food waste into healthy compost in which food can be grown for Chicagoans.