San Diego Food Bank Selects FOR Solutions Composting System to Eliminate Food Waste
In-vessel composter to convert 500,000 pounds of waste annually into high-quality compost for local farms
San Diego and Morristown, N.J. — September 29, 2015
FOR Solutions, developer of commercial-scale sustainable composting solutions for businesses and institutions, announced that the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank has selected its Model 2000 Composting System to achieve the food bank’s goal of zero landfilled food. Installed on-site, the composting system will divert the food bank’s more than 500,000 pounds of non-distributable food per year from landfills, recycling it into high-quality compost for use at local San Diego farms.
The San Diego Food Bank receives more than 23 million pounds of food annually, of which, 500,000 pounds cannot be distributed and requires disposal. According to the EPA, the U.S. sends more than 30 million tons of food to landfills each year and recycles less than three percent of uneaten food. Landfilled food harms the environment by producing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and leachate, which pollutes water systems.
The FOR Solutions composting biotechnology includes an aerobic in-vessel rotary drum digester that protects the environment by recycling food into high-quality compost in just five days. FOR Solutions composting systems are optimized for large institutions such as colleges/universities, non-profits, and mid-to-large size businesses that currently send large amounts of food to landfills or incinerators. The FOR Solutions Model-2000 Composting System processes 2,000 pounds of food per weekday and will help the San Diego Food bank improve its environmental footprint and achieve substantial savings on hauling and tipping fees.
“The FOR Solutions composter fits in perfectly with our directive to integrate sustainability into every aspect of our operations,” said James A. Floros, Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank CEO. “We considered a number of food waste recycling options and selected the FOR Solutions composter for its simple design, ease of use and ability to process large amounts of waste within a small footprint, all of which will help us save money, protect the environment and focus on our core mission of providing food to those in need.”
The FOR Solutions Model-2000 Composting System will be an integral part of the food bank’s ambitious sustainability program, which already includes a 350 kW solar array, LED lighting retrofits and a high-efficiency HVAC system. By installing the composter before the end of the year, the food bank is acting ahead of California law AB 1826 that will require organizations to recycle their organic waste starting April 2016.
“The San Diego Food Bank is to be congratulated for its forward-thinking approach to sustainability,” said FOR Solutions CEO Edward Friedman. “We believe food is the next frontier in recycling and we are pleased to partner with the food bank to help it
recycle it, save money, and serve as a symbol of environmental stewardship.”
About FOR Solutions
FOR Solutions uses patented biotechnology to design and market state-of-the-art aerobic in-vessel rotary drum composting systems intended to facilitate on-site or local recovery and composting of discarded uneaten food. Its systems are designed to process between 2,500 lbs. and 40,000 lbs. of discarded uneaten food per week in a process that requires just 5 days.
About the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County. Last year, the Food Bank distributed 22 million pounds of food, and the Food Bank served, on average, 370,000 people per month in San Diego County.
