Monterey One Water launches program to turn food waste into renewable energy.

It’s a win-win-win for tackling food waste, creating renewable energy and saving money. 

On Dec. 2, Monterey One Water—a public wastewater and water recycling agency which sits adjacent to ReGen Monterey in Marina—celebrated the launch of its new co-digestion program that will divert food waste from landfills and turn it into energy.

“We’re turning something most people throw away—food scraps—into clean energy for our community,” said Paul Sciuto, executive officer of Monterey One Water, in a statement. “By diverting organics that otherwise would go into landfills, we can reduce emissions and move closer to net-neutral operations. This is the kind of responsible stewardship that ensures a stronger future for our community.”

Food and other organic waste sitting in landfills emit methane, a short-lived climate pollutant that contributes to climate change and harms human health. 

The program and infrastructure, supported by a $4.2 million CalRecycle grant, will divert up to 51,000 tons of food waste annually for co-digestion with wastewater solids, increasing the production of biogas—a resource that Monterey One Water plans to turn into electricity and renewable natural gas. The infrastructure will reportedly be able to produce 800 cubic feet of biogas per minute. 

Monterey One Water’s program aligns with Senate Bill 1383 mandates, enacted by the state in 2016 and managed by CalRecycle, which aim to significantly reduce organic waste disposal in residential and commercial sectors statewide and increase recovery of edible food such as surplus from grocery stores and restaurants.

“The choices we make today about infrastructure, technology and resource management will shape the region’s future,” Monterey Mayor and Monterey One Water Board Chair Tyller Williamson said. “It's essential that we include consideration of protecting natural resources, reducing environmental impacts and building long-term resilience.”