The anaerobic conversion system will process more than 55,000 tons of organic food waste into renewable energy in the form of methane gas annually and will provide power for the 650,000 square foot distribution center. By diverting that food waste – the equivalent of 150 tons per day – the system will also reduce area truck trips by more than 500,000 miles each year.
The system will offset more than 20% of the facility’s energy demands. In addition to the new closed cell biogas system, designed by FEED Resource Recovery Inc. of Boston, MA, the facility also boasts 150 zero emission forklifts powered by fuel cells.
"We are committed to finding solutions for food waste and clean energy, and we believe this is a meaningful step forward," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s president and chief operating officer. Kroger, which operates grocery store chains in the US including the King Soopers, Kroger and City Market chains, is the fifth largest retail chain store operator in the world.