Innovation

Grind2Energy organics recycling system grinds food waste quickly and efficiently. The resulting slurry goes into a holding tank. The Grind2Energy team monitors the holding tank and as it nears capacity, they schedule the hauling and disposal on behalf of the customer. A liquid waste hauler transports the slurry to a local anaerobic digestion (AD) facility. The AD facility transforms the food slurry by capturing the methane released and converts it into renewable energy, once the bio-gas is captured, the remaining nutrient-rich organic material can be used as a beneficial natural fertilizer/ soil amendment. It took two years to develop the Grind2Energy organics recycling system and two more years until it came to market.

Starting in 2010, engineers and the business team worked on the research and development of Grind2Energy. An exceptional partnership was created with The Ohio State University (OSU). OSU was willing to put in the prototype system, work through the process, and provide routine feedback. They cared “about doing the right thing, as we did,” Doug Brokaw, Director of Sales, commented. ” OSU agreed to support the development of the prototype of Grind2Energy by testing it in OSU's on-campus hotel, the upscale Black Well Inn. Previously the hotel was composting and had issues with odors, leaks and unwanted pests. The Inn is a part of OSU’s hotel management program in the Fisher School of Business, so both students and hotel staff were involved in monitoring and reporting on use of the prototype.

Inspiration

The Grind2Eenrgy innovation emerged from a request in 2010 to InSinkErator from Quasar Energy Group in Cleveland, Ohio to develop a way to create contaminant free slurry for use in wet anaerobic digestion.

Brokaw first crossed paths with Emerson by selling InSinkErator disposals. His interest in Grind2Energy came about serendipitously. In 2010, Brokaw watched a documentary on Deer Island and the clean-up of the Boston Harbor which was polluted in the 80’s and 90’s. It explained how the process of anaerobic digestion works. A few months later, as Brokaw was looking for a new career path, he came upon a position with Grind2Energy. His reaction was: “I know what this is and I like the concept behind it.” Asked what environmental changes he hopes to see in ten years, Brokaw answered: “that we become better stewards of the environment,” and there is a reduction in greenhouse gases.

Overall impact

Use of the Grind2Energy organics recycling system:

1. Diverts food waste from landfill.
2. Converts food waste into electricity, compressed natural gas at some facilities, as well as nutrient-rich fertilizer.
3. Reduces methane emissions from landfills.
4. Improves facility hygiene and sanitation.
5. Reduces odor and pest problems.

Business benefit

States are passing requirements for the management of food waste going to landfills. If global food waste were a country, it would be the third largest producer of greenhouse gas in the world, behind China and the U.S. Most recently Massachusetts and California have enacted landfill bans. Brokaw pointed out that Massachusetts’ landfill law bans any establishment that creates a ton or more of food waste per week from sending the food waste to a Massachusetts landfill. Currently, there are approximately 1,500 stand alone anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities in the United States; Phoenix, Arizona is in the process of building 28 ADs with the capacity of a million gallons each. Management of food waste is a growing industry.

Grind2Energy’s success, Brokaw explained, is “making people think differently” about food waste management, and showing them another way that is hygienic in nature and a clean process. The turnkey system that is offered to customers makes it seamless for them to use Grind2Energy and requires no upfront large capital outlay. The system is rented, the tank is monitored, haulers are called when the tank is full, and the system is maintained by Grind2Energy. There are automatic upgrades to the system. The only upfront cost to the customer is they provide the necessary electricity and water line for the Grind2Energy team to install their system. Customers receive a tonnage report of how much waste was diverted from landfills and how much energy was generated. It is a very good fit for grocery stores as the system can handle every type of food waste a grocery store generates.

Cost savings are variables that have to be uncovered in talking with customers. For some businesses, the system is cost neutral or may even generate cost savings. For others, costs may slightly increase but they are willing to pay more for the sustainability aspects, improvement in facility hygiene, and the reduction of odors and pests.

Social and environmental benefit

1. Reduce the level of green house gas emissions which are a major contributor to global warming.
2. Reduce the burning of fossil fuels which release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which contributes to global warming.
3. Produce nutrient-rich fertilizer for agriculture.
4. Increase renewable power generation through the generation of electricity and compressed natural gas.
5. Make the disposal of food waste a hygienic process.

Interview

Doug Brokaw, Director of Sales, Grind2Energy – Commercial Solutions Group