The Kroger Co., Cincinnati, unveiled a clean energy production system that will convert food that cannot be sold or donated into clean energy to help power its Ralphs/Food 4 Less distribution center in Compton, Calif.
The anaerobic conversion system will process more than 55,000 tons of organic food waste into renewable energy annually, providing power for the more than 650,000-square-foot distribution center. By diverting that food waste—the equivalent of 150 tons per day—the system will also reduce area truck trips by more than 500,000 miles each year. The Kroger Recovery System uses a sophisticated process to convert the carbon in organic material into a renewable source of methane.
"We are committed to finding solutions for food waste and clean energy, and we believe this is a meaningful step forward," says Rodney McMullen, president and COO. "Investing in this project is a good business decision for Kroger, and most importantly, an extraordinary opportunity to benefit the environment. We want to thank Governor Brown and his team at CalRecycle and CalEPA, the City of Compton, the SCAQMD and our partners at FEED for making this renewable energy project a reality."
How it works
The Kroger Recovery System utilizes anaerobic digestion, a naturally occurring process that transforms organic food that cannot be sold or donated into renewable biogas.
This biogas is then turned into power for onsite operations. The process is carried out in an enclosed, oxygen-free environment, which means the process takes up less space and generates no odors. The system will provide enough renewable biogas to offset more than 20% of the energy demand of the Ralphs/Food 4 Less distribution center.
Combining the use of renewable energy power with more than 150 zero emission fuel cell forklifts, the Ralphs/Food4Less distribution center is now one of the greenest and most efficient.
About FEED Resource Recovery, Inc.
The Kroger Recovery System is designed and operated by FEED Resource Recovery Inc., a Boston-based clean technology company. FEED Resource Recovery (FEED) designed and implemented a ground-breaking Zero Waste solution called R2S for the food industry. FEED's innovative and proprietary approach leverages customers' existing transportation and distribution systems to generate clean, sustainable power for onsite operations, reduce emissions and save millions of dollars on waste removal costs.
