On average, households in Indiana lose $2,071 to food waste each year. These food waste numbers demonstrate the severity of this growing issue, with environmental, economic, and social consequences becoming increasingly concerning.
To address these concerns and support a greener future, the Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex launched an innovative renewable energy initiative in La Porte, Indiana. To further support these efforts, Shapiro assumed the exclusive role as the feedstock provider, helping Indiana stand out for their innovative sustainable energy solutions.
Keep reading to learn more about the RNG facility in Indiana, Shapiro’s role in this initiative, and future plans for developing additional waste-to-energy facilities across North America.
Key Takeaways
- The Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex is a facility located about 70 miles outside of Chicago that is expected to process 200 tons of organic waste daily into renewable natural gas, biochar, organic fertilizer, and compost.
- Shapiro will be the exclusive provider of feedstock to the RNG facility in Indiana, therefore supporting them in turning food waste into energy.
- By leveraging anaerobic digestion technology, the Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex works to divert food waste from landfills, therefore reducing pollution, minimizing methane emissions, and supporting a circular economy.
- While the Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex is a step in the right direction towards creating a better future, it’s only the beginning. The goal is to continue developing waste-to-energy facilities across North America, with a focus on metropolitan areas with high waste generation.
What Is the Kingsbury Bioenergy Campus?
The Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex is a facility that uses innovative methods to turn food waste to biogas and nutrient-rich fertilizers. This project is set to begin construction in December 2024 in La Porte, Indiana, and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2026.
This project came to life after receiving a total investment of $140 million for its development, led by Nexus W2V and Orion Infrastructure Capital, which committed $75 million in equity. The remaining funds were sourced from investors such as Nexus Holdings, Khasma Capital, and debt financing from Ameris Bank.
Located about 70 miles outside of Chicago, the Indiana RNG facility will generate biogas and inject the RNG into northern Indiana’s existing pipeline system. In total, the facility is expected to process 200 tons of organic waste daily into renewable natural gas and other coproducts like biochar, organic fertilizer, and compost.
The project’s flagship status highlights its role as a premier initiative for Nexus W2V, setting a benchmark for innovation and sustainability in waste-to-energy facilities. Roshan Vani, CEO of Nexus W2V, comments on this, stating that “The Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex will offer the greater Chicago area and western Indiana a long-term solution to their organic waste disposal needs.”
Why La Porte, Indiana?
Every detail of the Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex was carefully planned, meaning its location was strategically chosen to ensure success. By building a waste facility in La Porte, this initiative is well-positioned to serve Chicago’s complex waste management needs.
The location of this project aligns with Nexus W2V’s strategy to position facilities near major metropolitan areas where waste conversion adds the most value. As a result, the Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex helps Chicago improve waste management strategies while contributing to Indiana’s renewable energy generation.
Shapiro’s Exclusive Role as a Feedstock Supplier and Expertise
At Shapiro, we’re excited to announce that we’ll be the exclusive provider of feedstock to the Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex. To help them turn food waste to energy, our team will source high-quality organic feedstock through sustainable sourcing practices and ensure the provision of diverse organic materials.
To ensure the facility operates at maximum efficiency, we’ll leverage our expertise in collecting, transporting, and managing large volumes of organic waste. This includes providing tailored transportation strategies, carefully storing materials to ensure moisture and quality control, and pre-processing materials using techniques such as drying, decontamination measures, and pre-treatment with phosphoric acid, alkali, or Fe salts, among others.
The Technology Behind the Transformation
So how will this initiative convert 200 tons of organic waste daily into a valuable resource?
At the RNG facility in La Porte, the main technology will be the anaerobic digestion of waste, which is a waste management process where bacteria break down organic matter in an oxygen-free environment.
This process is highly valuable, as it produces two byproducts that are beneficial to the environment. The first byproduct is biogas, a renewable energy source that can produce electricity and heat or be further refined into renewable natural gas and fuel.
The second is digestate, a nutrient-rich material that can be used as fertilizer. By turning food waste into fertilizer, the Indiana anaerobic digester helps improve sustainability in the agricultural sector by improving soil health and reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers.
By leveraging anaerobic digestion technology, the Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex works to divert food waste from landfills, therefore reducing pollution, minimizing methane emissions, and supporting a circular economy.
Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Digestion: What’s the difference?
While anaerobic digestion occurs in an oxygen-free environment, aerobic digestion needs oxygen to break down organic matter. The difference in processes leads to distinct byproducts; anaerobic digestion produces both biogas and digestate, while aerobic digestion primarily produces compost.
The Future Outlook
The RNG facility in Indiana is a great example of how waste management facilities can handle large-scale waste in a way that’s effective and environmentally friendly. So, what lies ahead?
While the Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex is a step in the right direction towards creating a better future, it’s only the beginning. The goal is to continue developing waste-to-energy facilities across North America, with a focus on metropolitan areas with high waste generation.
Nexus W2V CEO Roshan Vani discusses plans, stating, “It’s the first in a series of waste-to-value projects that Nexus W2V has planned nationwide and serves as a blueprint for how we plan to think about the waste-to-value ecosystem.”
With a focus on increasing sustainability, our team at Shapiro is excited to support similar projects in the future, serving as both a trusted feedstock provider and a reliable sustainability partner.
One of the ways we’re currently supporting sustainability efforts is by participating in the Linden Renewable Energy Project, a project that uses anaerobic digestion to address New Jersey’s food waste problem. Shapiro supports this project by contributing feedstock to the anaerobic digester, showcasing our commitment to sustainable waste management solutions.
Indiana Food Waste Regulations
There are various US regulations on food waste, including federal, statewide, and citywide policies. That said, waste management efforts vary across the nation, with some states having more comprehensive laws than others.
So, what are the waste regulations in Indiana?
In Indiana, there are no organic waste bans or waste recycling laws that bear on food waste. Regarding food date labeling, Indiana follows the FDA model Food Code provisions and includes an additional regulation specifically for eggs. To read Indiana’s Food Labeling Guide, click here.
That said, there are programs that are dedicated to safeguarding public health, such as the Wholesale Manufactured Foods Program. This program ensures the safety and security of manufactured food products in Indiana by regularly inspecting manufacturing and distributing facilities, investigating customer complaints, and more.
Overall, Indiana could benefit from creating stricter food waste laws. With the U.S.’ goal to cut food loss and waste in half by the year 2030, we hope to see an increase in waste management laws nationwide.
How the Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex Benefits Your Business
Partnering with the Indiana RNG facility offers your company various benefits, including:
- Reduced landfill dependency: The Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex can handle large volumes of organic waste efficiently, meaning businesses can reduce their landfill disposal costs and minimize their environmental footprint.
- Increased sustainability: The waste facility in La Porte converts waste into renewable natural gas and organic fertilizer, therefore helping businesses improve sustainability efforts.
- Helps companies achieve CSR goals: By partnering with the RNG facility in Indiana, companies can enhance their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship and waste reduction.
I’m Interested – Where Do I Get Started?
The Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex is set to transform food waste management in Indiana, setting an example for cities and states across the United States. At Shapiro, we’re excited to be a part of this project, reaffirming our commitment to advancing sustainable waste solutions.
If your business is interested in enhancing sustainability efforts, we recommend collaborating with a food waste recycling company like Shapiro.
At Shapiro, we’ll create a tailored strategy that helps you achieve sustainability goals and make a positive environmental impact. To learn more about our services, contact us today.
FAQs
To ensure the Indiana RNG facility operates at maximum efficiency, Shapiro’s team sources high-quality organic feedstock through sustainable sourcing practices and ensures the provision of diverse organic materials.
Renewable natural gas helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing methane from organic waste sources through anaerobic digestion and using it as a valuable energy source. This is more environmentally friendly than traditional disposal methods, which allow it to escape into the atmosphere as a harmful greenhouse gas.
The RNG facility in Indiana contributes to the state’s goal of creating a cleaner environment and a greener future. This project plans to bring new jobs and economic growth to Indiana, all while leading the way in sustainable energy solutions.
Waste-to-energy technologies help Indiana businesses reduce reliance on landfills, which helps them lower disposal costs, increase their overall sustainability, and achieve CSR goals.
Indiana has recycling laws; however, there are currently no organic waste bans or waste recycling laws that bear on food waste.
Baily Ramsey, an accomplished marketing specialist, brings a unique blend of anthropological insight and marketing finesse to the digital landscape. Specializing in educational content creation, she creates content for various industries, with a particular interest in environmental initiatives.
