Dive Brief:

• The Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in Brooklyn, New York, has introduced a new material into its dome-shaped anaerobic digesters -- food waste.
• The facility was exclusively converting sewage sludge, but is now experimenting with food scraps, which it has been introducing into the sludge. 
• An obstacle facing the process is the ability for a massive population to sort its organic waste from trash. According to Samantha MacBride, former New York sanitation official, separating waste requires additional effort -- a commitment to composting that some New Yorkers may not have. 

Dive Insight:

In 2015, New York City will enforce its ban prohibiting restaurants from disposing of food materials into the trash. Organic waste from restaurants will no longer be allowed into landfills. Ron Gonen, New York's deputy commissioner for recycling, says that the facility "could be taking all of Brooklyn's organics…and converting it into clean, renewable energy." New York City has started pilot food waste collection programs, already moving to expand throughout more boroughs.

Paul Sellew of Harvest Power said that the industry is scrambling to construct compost plants and digesters to handle the expected onslaught of waste. One million tons of organic waste is expected to be collected in New York City alone once the ban starts. Sellew also mentioned that the most expensive issue associated with building plants is the cost of the urban property necessary to build the facility. Harvest Power itself just inked a deal with Disney, and will be handling the amusement facility's food waste.