Divert, Inc., a sustainable solutions company committed to solving the wasted food crisis and advancing a circular economy, announced the opening of its Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility in Turlock, California, the first-of-its-kind for the state in accelerating progress against the wasted food crisis. The new facility marks a significant milestone in the company鈥檚 robust expansion roadmap to scale its sustainable infrastructure solutions to 30 facilities across the U.S. by 2031.
Divert鈥檚 facility advances a circular economy through an end-to-end solution that prevents wasted food, facilitates edible food recovery to provide to people in need, and transforms unsold food products into carbon-negative renewable energy to power local homes and businesses. Equipped to offset up to 23,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year, the equivalent to taking nearly 5,000 gas-powered cars off the road, the facility will bring California closer to reaching its net-zero carbon pollution goals by 2045.
鈥淭he opening of our Turlock facility is a landmark moment for Divert in accelerating our progress against the wasted food crisis and addressing climate change to benefit both people and our planet,鈥� said Ryan Begin, CEO and co-founder, Divert. 鈥淔or 17 years, Divert has been at the forefront of driving a positive impact against this social and environmental crisis, working hand-in-hand with our customers and partners. Our new Turlock facility is an important milestone as we continue to lead the industry, and we are well positioned as we rapidly scale our solutions nationwide to serve more businesses and consumers.鈥�
The facility leverages Divert鈥檚 proprietary depackaging solution and anaerobic digestion to process 100,000 tons of unsold food products each year into two beneficial byproducts: renewable energy and a soil amendment that allows for the nutrients to return to farmland, supporting further food growth. In doing so, Divert prevents these unsold food products from reaching the landfill, thereby eliminating harmful methane emissions that contribute to climate change.
In a聽first-of-its-kind interconnection聽for Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) in California, the processed renewable natural gas (RNG) is being injected into PG&E鈥檚 natural gas transmission line. Nearly 225,000 MMBtu of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) will be delivered into PG&E’s system annually.
鈥淧G&E remains committed to achieving a clean, decarbonized net-zero energy system by 2040, and the opportunity to collaborate with innovators and changemakers like Divert is essential to achieving this goal,鈥� said Austin Hastings, Vice President, PG&E Gas Engineering. 鈥淲e are excited to work with Divert to increase the volume of clean, California-produced, renewable natural gas flowing through PG&E鈥檚 pipeline system.鈥�
Divert works with some of the largest food retailers in the U.S., including Ahold Delhaize, CVS, Kroger, Albertsons, Target, and others, to prevent wasted food and facilitate edible food recovery to feed people in need. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to partner with Divert in our efforts to prevent food waste and increase food recovery in our stores,鈥� said Karl Schroeder, Division President of Safeway Northern California. 鈥淥ur partnership allows us to better serve our customers by reducing waste, supporting local food banks, and providing more opportunities to help our neighbors in need access fresh, nutritious food.鈥�
In addition to retailers, the facility will also help California food manufacturers, distributors, food service operators, and other industrial companies comply with organic waste requirements in accordance with the state鈥檚 Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) regarding organic waste reduction. This legislation requires large waste generators to redirect food waste from landfills through waste prevention or donations, and encourages the use of anaerobic digestion to create renewable energy.
鈥淜eeping food scraps and other organic material from creating methane in landfills is critical to California鈥檚 climate fight,鈥� said Zoe Heller, Director, CalRecycle. 鈥淲hen California reaches its organics recycling and food recovery targets, we will cut three million cars worth of climate pollution each year and move our state closer to the waste-free future that our children deserve.鈥�
鈥淭he City of Turlock is proud to celebrate the opening of Divert鈥檚 new facility, which is already delivering on the promise to create new jobs and drive economic growth for our community,鈥� said Amy Bublak, Mayor of Turlock. 鈥淥ur city has been a longtime supporter of Divert and this project, which builds on Turlock鈥檚 existing agricultural and manufacturing strengths, solidifies our appeal as a place where you can live, work and raise your family. The future is bright for Divert in Turlock, and we look forward to continuing to work together to support the company鈥檚 progress against the wasted food crisis in California.鈥�