Earlier this week the blog GoingGreenatHome.com detailed the innovative ways the city of Modesto, Calif. plans to replace its recycling program with a full-scale composting plan, in full effect by the end of August. Residents separate their waste into regular trash and organic scraps – which includes yard clippings and food scraps that can be composted and processed for used at Pacific Gas & Electricity.

According to the informative article (that you can read in full here):

Modesto’s composting program, wһісһ turns yard clippings аnԁ prunings іntο soil supplements, һаѕ bееn mаkіnɡ mulch ѕіnсе 1997.

Tһе Modesto Bee editorial notes, “Itѕ composting facility һаѕ bееח operating ѕіnсе 1997, аnԁ іn tһе last few years, wіtһ tһе addition οf nеw equipment tο screen аnԁ sort, tһе city now composts paper, cardboard аnԁ food scraps, including sizable volumes frοm restaurants аחԁ hospitals.”  250 tons οf natural waste comes іntο tһеіr composting facility еνеrу day, wһеrе іt’s composted іntο soil.

Modesto аƖѕο contracts wіtһ another facility tο send tһеіr 800 tons οf daily garbage tο a processing plant, wһеrе іt’s converted tο energy аnԁ sold tο Pacific Gas & Electricity.  Tһеіr Stanislaus Resource Recovery Facility сrеаtеѕ a 90-percent volume reduction, аѕ well аѕ 22 megawatts οf electricity, enough tο power 20,000 homes іn tһе Modesto community.

This is just one way to create electricity through anaerobic digestion from composting organic waste. And it supports the economic infrastructure of the city.

What are your thoughts on the plan being put into place in Modesto? How does your city handle recycling or composting?

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The streets of Bristol will never be the same. Now that the cleverly-dubbed Bio-Bug, a Volkswagon powered by methane gas generated from organic waste, is in motion. The fully converted vehicle is being considered a success in early reports. It starts out using unleaded gasoline, then moves on to methane as. According to organicfamilies.com:

The new Bio-Bug is capable of running on both conventional fuel and methane fuel. It has two tanks, but runs primarily on methane. If the methane tank runs out, the car will switch over to the conventional fuel tank.

It’s the first methane-powered vehicle that doesn’t show signs of reduced performance in the vehicle.  Mohammed Saddiq of GENeco – the company that developed the original prototype – was quoted in the article as saying: “If you were to drive the car you wouldn’t know it was powered by biogas as it performs just like any conventional car. It is probably the most sustainable car around.”

GoodNews.ws also reported on the Bio-Bug, noting it “runs on methane gas generated during the sewage treatment process. Waste flushed down the toilets of just 70 homes in Bristol is enough to power the Bio-Bug for a year, based on an annual mileage of 10,000 miles.”

The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) said the launch of the Bio-Bug proved that biomethane from sewage sludge could be used as an alternative fuel for vehicles.

Would you drive a biogas vehicle? Why or why not. Tell us about it.

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This week in Flint, Michigan, Swedish Biogas International and Linkoping, another Swedish company, began construction of a biogas plant. What’s more, according to an article in the Flint Journal. Swedish Biogas International has announced it will invest another $2-$3 million in a co-digester that will transform food waste into energy.

Flint Mayor Dayne Walling was quoted in the story as saying:

“It’s exciting that Swedish Biogas International Inc. is already looking at ways to grow their business and increase the number of jobs created here locally, and that’s good news,” he said after a news conference.

By doing so, the plant will be able to process food waste from private companies, slaughterhouses and hospitals in an effort to double production of electricity. The article reports that construction is expected to continue through 2011 and the project will cost about $9 million, the bulk of which will be covered by Swedish Biogas. The project is expected to bring in dozens of new construction and engineering jobs for the Flint area, and may be a way to spur the economy.

The plant has the potential to seriously impact waste disposal and energy creation.

Beginning early next year, human waste treated at the plant will be used to create biogas, which will generate electricity, Guise said. That electricity can be used at the plant or sent out to the electric grid, said Chad Antle, Swedish Biogas’ director of operations.

What do you think about the addition of a biogas plant in Michigan and the potential for energy creation? Let us know your thoughts.

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