Nov 22 - Zero Waste Energy Development Co. Opens Digester Facility In San Jose
Zero Waste Energy Development Company's new anaerobic digester, opening in San Jose today, promises to "take organics recycling to the next level."
The facility, which will process food waste from commercial facilities and restaurants, consists of 16 digestion chambers that can each hold 350 tons of waste, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
The process takes roughly 21 days, during which the food breaks down into compost and methane biogas. The gas can then be converted into electricity to power the facility or for use as fuel elsewhere. The technology, known as "dry fermentation anaerobic digestion," uses bacteria to break down organic matter in an oxygen-free environment and without using large quantities of water.
The project, which is being developed in phases, will be the largest facility of its type in the world. It’s a partnership between GreenWaste, which collects garbage, recycled materials and compostibles, and Zanker Road Resource Management, which operates recycling facilities. It’s built on property that is owned by the City of San Jose, which used to be a landfill.
Anaerobic digesters like this project in San Jose, are a crucial element in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas. By recycling food waste instead of sending it to the landfill, San Jose will capture the Methane it releases and turn it into energy—instead of letting it enter the atmosphere. This is important, as Methane is 25 times more powerful than Carbon Dioxide.
CAW is there to congratulate Zero Waste Energy Development Company on the completion of this innovative and beneficial project.
Find out more about how recycling organics helps reduce greenhouse gas.