Waste to Watts
Turning food waste into electricity
The commission, with the Street Department, diverts food waste from Purdue University and the West Lafayette community to the city's anaerobic digester. Electricity is generated from the process that powers the West Lafayette Water Resource Recovery Facility.
200,000
9
organizations in West Lafayette served
lbs of food waste collected in 2022
Where does my food waste go?
Infographic: Kitchen -> collection -> anaerobic digester -> electricity -> biosolids to farmers
What's the issue?
When food waste is sent to decompose in a landfill, the waste undergoes anaerobic (without oxygen) decomposition and releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, “landfill gas is responsible for 17 percent of US methane emissions.”
Source: https://archive.epa.gov/region9/organics/web/html/index-2.html
How do I divert my food waste?
Extra resources
Looking for even more ways to be sustainable?