Divert breaks ground in Washington

Divert Inc. Breaks Ground on Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility

By Tad Thompson

Introduction

Divert Inc. broke ground in Longview, WA, on September 7th, marking the first step towards the establishment of its Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility. This facility is the first of its kind in the state of Washington.

About Divert Inc.

Divert Inc., based in Concord, MA, aims to minimize food waste and convert it into a renewable energy resource instead of contributing to methane emissions from landfills. The company operates ten sophisticated facilities across the United States, serving all 50 states. Their customers include Ahold Delhaize, Albertsons, CVS, Kroger, and Target. Divert works closely with these retailers, providing them with technology, logistics, and anaerobic digestion facilities to help them achieve their sustainability goals.

The groundbreaking ceremony on September 7th was broadcast online, with CEO and co-founder Ryan Begin moderating. Begin and COO Nick Whitman started the company in a Massachusetts garage in 2007.

The Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility

The new facility by Divert will process wasted food into carbon-negative renewable energy. It is the first clean technology and clean manufacturing-focused facility approved under Washington’s stringent environmental protection framework (SEPA) in Southwest Washington in the last decade.

The facility, located near the Columbia River in Longview’s Mint Farm industrial development park, will cover an area of 66,000 square feet on 16 acres of land. It is expected to employ 40 people upon its completion at the end of 2024.

At full processing capacity, the facility will process 100,000 tons of food, offsetting up to 23,000 metric tons of CO2 annually. This is equivalent to removing 5,000 gas-powered cars from the road each year.

Divert strategically chose Longview due to its central proximity to the distribution centers of their retail customers in Washington and Oregon. Additionally, the area offers access to utilities capable of receiving carbon-negative renewable energy.

The facility will serve food retailers, industrial partners, manufacturers, and other stakeholders.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Divert’s operations align with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations:

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Divert helps eliminate wasted food and feeds those in need.
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The facility converts wasted food into renewable energy, contributing to a sustainable energy future.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Divert’s facility represents a new clean technology and clean manufacturing-focused infrastructure.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Divert’s operations reduce food waste and promote sustainable consumption and production practices.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action – By converting wasted food into renewable energy, Divert helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

Partnership with Enbridge

The Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility is the first project developed under Divert and Enbridge’s $1 billion infrastructure development agreement, announced earlier this year. Divert and Enbridge are investing nearly $100 million in the project and the local economy.

Enbridge Gas, North America’s largest natural gas utility by volume, is committed to delivering affordable and sustainable energy.

The Wasted Food Landscape

According to Divert, the United States alone generates over 63 million tons of wasted food annually, contributing 8% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Divert addresses these challenges by converting wasted food into renewable fuels and providing solutions to eliminate food waste and feed those in need.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Addressed:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action

Targets Identified:

1. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
2. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
3. Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
4. Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
5. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

Indicators:

• Amount of wasted food processed into renewable energy (related to Target 2.1)
• Percentage increase in the share of renewable energy in the energy mix (related to Target 7.2)
• Number of infrastructure upgrades and retrofitting projects for sustainability (related to Target 9.4)
• Reduction in per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels (related to Target 12.3)
• Integration of climate change measures into national policies and planning (related to Target 13.2)

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Explanation:

1. The article addresses or connects to several SDGs, including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) due to the focus on minimizing food waste, SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) as the facility aims to convert wasted food into renewable energy, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) as the facility involves upgrading infrastructure and adopting clean technologies, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) as it aims to reduce food waste, and SDG 13 (Climate Action) as it integrates climate change measures.

2. The specific targets identified based on the article’s content are Target 2.1 (end hunger and ensure access to safe and nutritious food), Target 7.2 (increase the share of renewable energy), Target 9.4 (upgrade infrastructure for sustainability), Target 12.3 (reduce per capita food waste), and Target 13.2 (integrate climate change measures).

3. The article mentions or implies indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets, such as the amount of wasted food processed into renewable energy (related to Target 2.1), the percentage increase in the share of renewable energy in the energy mix (related to Target 7.2), the number of infrastructure upgrades and retrofitting projects for sustainability (related to Target 9.4), the reduction in per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels (related to Target 12.3), and the integration of climate change measures into national policies and planning (related to Target 13.2).

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: freshfruitportal.com

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