Synthica Energy LLC., a food waste renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities developer, has broken ground on a new RNG facility at 5410 Vine Street in St. Bernard, Ohio, that will convert nearly 200,000 tons of waste diverted from local landfills and sewers into energy to power thousands of homes in the region every year. The facility will create the RNG by utilizing anaerobic digesters, which will also remove thousands of tons of CO2 and methane from the atmosphere.
“Local demand is significant right now. Despite being home to hundreds of manufacturers, there are currently no anaerobic digestion plants within 50 miles of Cincinnati,” said Sam Schutte, Founder and CEO of Synthica St. Bernard. “That means operating a manufacturing plant in our region is more expensive than in places like Cleveland or Columbus, because of the increased cost of hauling away byproducts. That puts Cincinnati at a distinct disadvantage when trying to attract and retain businesses.”
The waste will largely be supplied from industrial waste created by local food manufacturers, who will now have less distance to truck their waste, lowering their costs and further reducing diesel emissions. Synthica St. Bernard has already secured long-term waste management agreements with seven local manufacturers.
“Renewable natural gas is created by breaking down organic feedstocks from sources such as industrial food waste and food scraps, municipal wastewater, or carbon-rich materials,” added Schutte. “All of these sources can be found in the St. Bernard area. The average American home wastes 250 pounds of food every year, and food waste from industrial sources just in Ohio tops 8 million tons annually.”
Synthica is currently evaluating other potential properties in the region to construct additional food waste renewable natural gas facilities that will further serve the community.
