Gaps & opportunities in organic waste recovery

Michigan’s path to increasing waste diversion from 18% to 45%

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The economic value, business profit potential, jobs created and avoided GHG emissions for the presented organics recycling options were calculated using data from ReFED. Assumptions include the following:

  • The economic and environmental benefits shown in the charts are based on the additional potential recovery to meet statewide goal of 45%, with most of the additional potential recovery in the form of food waste.

  • Community Composting models ReFED looked at were based largely on volunteer labor and did not show a jobs benefits for the region or business profit for the composting site.

  • GHG benefits were based on a $/ton benefit, aggregated for the entire US

  • The NextCycle data team is in the process of developing its economic and environmental benefits model and will update these factors in the future.

Below are definitions from ReFED for the recycling options and measures:

  • Centralized Anaerobic Digestion: Industrial-scale collection of food waste that undergoes the anaerobic digestion process at a dedicated central location, typically operated by a dedicated energy generator

  • Centralized Composting: Large-scale composting facilities that process commercial, residential, institutional, and industrial food waste, managed either by third party waste and compost companies or solid waste agencies

  • Community Composting: Food waste from homes and small businesses diverted to small, community or neighborhood-level compost facilities

  • In-Vessel Composting: Small-scale enclosed systems that manufacture compost through the controlled aerobic, biological decomposition of biodegradable materials. Assumes the product from the system needs to be followed by a curing phase.

  • Home Composting: Maintaining a small compost pile or bin at the residence level (e.g. home, apartment)

 UPDATED July 7, 2021