Food Waste – Grind2Energy

The Grind2Energy system by InSinkErator allows quasar to accept and process contaminate-free AD-ready waste streams. The Grind2Energy system is a high volume, low water consumption option that is simple to operate. On-site separation with grinding reduces or eliminates organic loss from contamination, storage and odor concerns, and simplifies implementation of organics capture programs.

– Reduces or eliminates organic loss from contamination

– Reduces odor concerns

– Simplifies implementation of organics capture programs

How does it work?

Food scraps generated at a food service facility are collected and fed into InSinkErator’s Grind2Energy equipment on-site. The system is an industrial scale version of the residential garbage disposals InSinkErator has in homes across the country. The food waste is ground up and mixed with water to form a slurry that is stored in a tank at the facility. quasar trucks are notified by the system when it is near capacity and the slurry is transported from the facility to one of our regional anaerobic digesters. Here, the food waste is mixed with other regional waste streams.

Anaerobic digestion is a process that occurs naturally when organic waste is allowed to decompose in the absence of oxygen. At a quasar facility, this decomposition occurs in air-tight steel tanks. Bacteria break down the material, producing a gas that is about 60% methane. This gas can be used to generate electricity, natural gas, or can used as motor vehicle fuel. The liquid material that remains is high in nutrient value can be used beneficially as fertilizer by local farmers. quasar has engineered this natural process to maximize its potential.

The Opportunity to Recover Food Waste

According to the US EPA, if 50 percent of food waste produced each year in the United States were anaerobically digested, enough electricity would be generated to power more than 2.5 million homes for one year. Food waste is high in energy generating volatile solids and is also one of the least recovered materials in the municipal solid waste stream. Anaerobic digestion not only generates clean renewable electricity and natural gas from organic waste, it also provides the opportunity for food producers and distributors to divert organic material from landfills and prevent the emission of greenhouse gases.

Grind2Energy is a Solution for