Divert Inc., an impact technology company on a mission to Protect the Value of Food, says Harrison, Ohio, is the location of a future Integrated Diversion and Energy Facility. The operation is expected to prevent and process wasted food and spark local economic development through bringing new jobs to Hamilton County, Ohio, the company said in a news release.
“Kroger is proud to collaborate with Divert to further our Zero Hunger, Zero Waste plan, which aims to end hunger in our communities and eliminate waste across our business,” Keith Dailey, group vice president of corporate affairs and chief sustainability officer at Kroger, said in the release. “Divert's facilities are instrumental in supporting our operational efforts and Divert's new facility in Ohio will greatly benefit our local communities by providing the necessary infrastructure to efficiently manage and recycle unsold organic products.”
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The U.S. produces more than 63 million tons of wasted food annually, and wasted food accounts for up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the release said. In Hamilton County alone, 60 million pounds of food is wasted a year, equivalent to approximately 74 pounds per person. With the food insecurity rate in the county at 12.5%, nearly 1% higher than the national average, the company said there is a clear opportunity to address this issue.
“For nearly 17 years, Divert has pioneered advanced technologies and sustainable infrastructure that prevent wasted food,” Divert co-founder and CEO Ryan Begin said. “Hamilton County is an important hub for agriculture and food manufacturing, and we are eager to introduce our mission and solutions to benefit this area. Divert is grateful to have significant local support, and we are ready to get to work to make a positive environmental, economic, and social impact on this community.”
Divert says it is tackling this problem across the U.S. and soon in Ohio, leveraging technology enabled infrastructure to prevent food from going to waste by converting inedible wasted food into renewable energy. The facility will also provide companies with actionable data to take preventative steps to waste less food and donate more to feed people, addressing food insecurity.
"Transforming wasted food material into renewable natural gas energy underscores our region's dynamic, advanced manufacturing sector and unwavering dedication to innovation," Kimm Lauterbach, president and CEO of REDI Cincinnati, said in the release. "Additionally, Divert’s commitment to rescuing and redirecting edible food to our community aligns with the collective effort to foster prosperity and well-being for all across the region."
“Divert’s presence not only fills a critical need for our community, region and the state of Ohio, but also strengthens our local economy and workforce," Harrison Mayor Ryan Grubbs said in the release. "We look forward to supporting Divert’s growth and shared success in the years to come.”
Divert operates 13 facilities across the U.S., capturing wasted food from retailers, food manufacturers, and other companies, transforming it into carbon-negative renewable energy, thereby preventing it from emitting harmful methane in landfills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To date, the company has processed 2.6 billion pounds of wasted food and helped to facilitate the donation of over 14 million pounds of food to feed communities in need, the company said.