Charles Vigliotti has created lot in Yahphank, Long Island in which he uses food scraps as a resource for energy. This concept is very sustainable and efficient because a city such as New York City will pay to remove that waste and it can be used for a source of energy. With the use of anaerobic digestion, there is a smaller footprint and the odors are contained. The cost of the digesters is offset by the fertilizer and biogas which can be burned to create heat and electricity. This is a source of untapped potential for renewable energy in the industry. Hauling food scraps from the city to the rural lot is extremely beneficial and sustainable. Allowing people to get rid of their “trash” but use it for a source of energy is a brilliant system. Giving people a place to hand off their left over food makes it a more accessible source and easy for everyone to contribute. The Department of Sanitation has a system of curbside pickup adding even moe accessibility for people. The city uses local transfer stations to transport the waste and avoid people’s complaints of the odors. At these facilities they sort and comb through the waste to remove plastic boxes, aluminum foil, milk boxes, capri sun pouches, and more. The food scraps are mixed with wood shavings and straw to provide more carbon to complement the foods nitrogen and bulk up the compost. The compost is then fed into a screening machine and is eventually able to be used for raising organic vegetables, grains, and pastured meat. The nations compost operations are bringing in about $3 billion per year. Due to its environmental outcomes, the EPA lists anaerobic digestion as preferable to composting when it comes to surplus food. This is also recognized by the U.S. composting Council. This proves that composting and anaerobic digestion is an extremely sustainable way to ged rid of waste while also creating a source of energy.
