Research and Solutions: AASHE Student Award-Winning Paper: Converting Food Waste to Biogas

Biogas is a renewable source of natural gas produced by the microbial degradation of organic matter in a process called anaerobic digestion. While any organic material may be a feedstock for anaerobic digestion, waste organic matter represents a vast potential for sustainable energy production. Food waste, in particular, is a relatively untapped resource. Large amounts of food waste are produced at campus dining halls and other food service facilities. A case study was undertaken to determine biogas production and implementation potential at the University of Florida's Broward Dining Hall. Food waste quantity and current disposal methods were determined. The waste was analyzed for organic matter content and potential biogas yield. Food waste was digested in a small-scale anaerobic digester. The study demonstrated that converting food waste to biogas could provide significant supplemental energy to the dining hall and provide a closed-loop system for sustainable food waste management. By using biogas produced from anaerobic digestion of food waste, in place of fossil fuel, the energy footprint and carbon emissions at Broward Dining Hall would be reduced. Further, energy use and carbon emissions associated with current disposal methods would be reduced, and valuable nutrients in the food waste would be recycled for use as organic fertilizer. Establishing a biodigester at Broward Dining Hall would contribute to meeting the University of Florida's sustainability goals by simultaneously reducing solid waste and producing carbon-neutral, renewable energy. If biogas technology were adopted throughout the food service industry, this would significantly advance campus and societal sustainability.