Clean World Opens Anaerobic Digestion Operation for Food Waste

Clean World Partners has opened in Sacramento what it is calling the largest commercial-scale, high-solid anaerobic digestion system in the United States.

The Gold River, Calif.-based Clean World said in a news release that the Sacramento Biodigester will convert 25 tons of food waste per day from area food processing companies, restaurants and supermarkets into renewable natural gas, electricity and soil-amendment products.

The site also will feature California’s first anaerobic digestion-based renewable natural gas fueling station. The station is being developed by Atlas Disposal Industries of Sacramento and is expected to open in the spring. The system will fuel Atlas’ clean fuel trucks, as well as other vehicles.

In 2013 the operation will expand processing capacity to 100 tons of waste per day. Construction began in June. The operation will employ 13.

At full capacity, the system will divert nearly 37,000 tons of waste annually from landfills. It also will produce organic fertilizers and soil amendment products for distribution to area farms.