Monterey One Water launches food waste receiving and co-digestion program

Monterey One Water, Monterey, California, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Dec. 2 to celebrate the launch of its food waste receiving and co-digestion program at its Marina, California, facility.

The project converts food scraps into renewable energy and is expected to divert up to 51,000 tons of organic waste annually.

Burlington, Ontario-based Anaergia Inc. partnered with Monterey One Water to provide and modify anaerobic digestion technology at the facility. The modifications now allow Monterey One Water to receive and co-digest food waste in existing digesters used to process wastewater biosolids, resulting in the production of more biogas, which can be used in linear generators or converted into renewable natural gas (RNG).

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“At Monterey One Water, we’re turning something most people throw away—food scraps—into clean, renewable energy for our community,” Monterey One Water Executive Officer Paul Sciuto said at the ribbon cutting event. “Instead of sending it to the landfill, trucks will bring it here where it gets mixed up and heated with our wastewater biosolids.”

“Anaergia is proud to support the Monterey One Water facility in their new food waste and co-digestion program that marks the start of a major new organics-to-energy initiative in Marina, California,” the company says in a LinkedIn post. “It’s a powerful example of how utilities can cut emissions, strengthen operations and advance climate action through circular, proven solutions.”

This project was made possible through a $4.2 million grant from CalRecycle.