Separate food waste from non-organic materials like plastics, metals, and glass.
Keep the food waste collection area clean to prevent contamination.
Store food waste in airtight containers to reduce odor and keep pests away.
Maintain a balance of different types of food waste to optimize microbial activity in your biodigester.
Chop or shred large food items to accelerate decomposition.
Maintain the recommended moisture level in your biodigester.
Monitor and maintain an appropriate temperature range for efficient decomposition — usually between 110°F and 160°F (43-71°C).
Monitor gas production and adjust feedstock accordingly to maximize biogas generation.
Familiarize yourself with local regulations regarding waste handling and energy production to build a compliant waste management system.
Are Waste-to-Energy Solutions Sustainable?
Bioconversion of food waste to energy uses renewable resources and solves two major issues:
It keeps organic waste from decomposing in landfills and generating methane gas.
It uses renewable energy to lower the demand for fossil fuels.
It doesn’t only address a symptom but fixes a root cause for methane emissions. The technologies involved continuously upgrade to minimize consumption and maximize energy recovery. Moreover, less energy goes into handling waste as the number of landfill sites gets smaller.
What’s Next in Upcycling and Energy Recovery?
Everyone agrees that discarding food is not a viable choice; however, it remains a prevalent issue worldwide. Using food waste to generate electricity and heating can help mitigate the consequences.
In 2020, the global installed capacity for biogas energy stood at approximately 20.1 GW, and experts say the number will grow as technology allows communities to scale up efforts.
Biogas production is just one example of waste-to-energy solutions to the food waste issue. As these systems scale, integrated systems must keep up to extract energy and valuable by-products from food waste streams. So, research and development must focus on innovative technologies and holistic waste management strategies.
Meet HiBioTech — Turn Your Food Waste into Clean Energy
HiBioTech systems offer a sustainable solution to the food waste pressing issues right where it’s the easiest to control: at the source. Homeowners, farmers, and small business owners can easily transform discarded food, kitchen scraps, and other organic waste into a resource. All they need to turn food waste to renewable energy is a suitable outdoor space and access to water.