Waste Dive: How ESG considerations are influencing strategy in the waste industry
David Darr, Chief Sustainability Officer at Vanguard Renewables, recently took part in a virtual conversation with Waste Dive
David Darr, Chief Sustainability Officer at Vanguard Renewables, recently took part in a virtual conversation with Waste Dive
The Upcycled Food Association defines an upcycled product as “foods that are made with ingredients that would otherwise have ended up in a food waste destination such as a landfill or incinerator.” These upcycled foods are good for people and the planet because they create a more sustainable and resilient food system.
Breweries across the Northeast are stepping up to help fight climate change in a big way, and one of the latest breweries to join the fight is Sloop Brewing Co.
Unilever is determined to improve their ice cream products’ sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint of their ingredients. Both the cows on the farms and the dairy products produced come with a large carbon footprint.
The Barstow family that has always embraced change and diversification has taken some dramatic new turns in recent years, first with Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery, and later, through a partnership with Vanguard Renewables to build one of the first farm-powered anaerobic digesters in New England.
Massachusetts companies that generate more than half a ton of food waste a week can no longer send it to landfills or incinerators. This has created a demand for "anaerobic digesters.
Massachusetts throws away almost one million tons of food waste every year. To help decrease this, the state has tightened its food waste ban; as of November, 2022, any business that generates more than a half a ton of food waste per week cannot send it to landfills or incinerators.
It has been pointed out that “waste is only really waste if you waste it.” That is of particular concern when what is being wasted is potential renewable energy. Our food system generates two major waste streams that have traditionally ended up on the negative side of their potential – the manure that comes from farm animals, and the inedible food waste that happens at the food manufacturing or retail level.
At Jordan Dairy Farm in Rutland, the cows are doing two things – producing milk and poop, lots of poop. Cow manure to be specific. That may seem like a stinky problem. But it's how the farm is being powered.
Farmers can generate additional revenue from the lease payments and save on livestock bedding and fertilizers through our method. We handle all their manure needs and enable them to take part in a sustainable, circular farming economy.