Converting food waste into energy efficiently is touted as a sustainable solution that makes the most of food waste, primarily generated by restaurants and food factories, rather than allowing it to decompose in a landfill. In fact, modern technologies, and innovations, such as the Food Waste Biogas Plant and others, demonstrate that there are varied ways for food waste to be converted into a renewable source of energy. However, when food waste ends up in a landfill, it breaks down, releasing the highly potent, toxic methane gas, which traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Nevertheless, procedures for turning food waste into efficient energy via a Food Waste Biogas Plant still produce the menacing methane. Still, they capture and control the gas, employing it to generate energy. And the onus is primarily on restaurants and food factories to convert their food waste into energy that benefits the environment and retains its efficacy. Being earmarked as one of the leading Food Waste Biogas Plant manufacturers in Pune, Maharashtra, India, CH Four Energy Solutions emphasizes the importance of waste treatment across environmental, industrial, hospitality & other sectors, providing a hassle-free, seamless experience and offering immaculate waste treatment solutions and services. Let us have a look at how restaurants and food factories convert food waste into energy efficiently, benefiting greatly in all aspects of ‘Life’. Essential Ways Restaurants & Food Factories Turn Food Waste into Energy Efficiently Some of the essential ways restaurant and food factories turn food waste into energy efficiently are as follows. Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Collection & Pre-treatment – Food scraps, fats, and used oils are accumulated, often separating from packaging, ground, and mixed into a slurry. Digestion – The slurry enters sealed, oxygen-free tanks known as digesters, where bacteria decompose the organic material over a period of days/weeks. Biogas Production – This breakdown tends to release methane-rich biogas and carbon dioxide. Energy Conversion/Generation – The biogas is captured, purified into Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), and employed to power generators for electricity, heat buildings, or fuel vehicles such as buses. Similarly, used cooking oils are refined into biodiesel, a renewable, clean-burning diesel fuel made from plant oils like soy, rapeseed, algae, or animal fats/recycled cooking oil, which is used in most diesel engines, offering energy security and environmental benefits. Digestate – The residual liquid and solid (digestate) is a valuable organic fertilizer for agricultural purposes. Combustion/Incineration Procedure – Food waste, sometimes fused with other biomass, is burned in a controlled environment, making it a renewable source of energy used for cooking, electricity, or vehicle fuel, simultaneously capturing energy and minimizing landfill waste. Energy Output – Heat generated produces steam, driving turbines for electricity or provides direct heat. Pyrolysis & Gasification Process – Waste is heated in the absence of oxygen (pyrolysis) or with limited oxygen (gasification), converting it into syngas (a fuel gas), bio-oil, and biochar, which are used efficiently for energy. Biodiesel Production Procedure – Used cooking oils and fats are filtered, refined & purified, and processed. Energy Output-Transformed into clean-burning biodiesel employed for vehicles and machinery, minimizing reliance on fossil fuels. Other Technologies & Applications/Usages Microbial Fuel Cells – Make the usage of microbes for generating electricity directly from waste. Bioethanol Fermentation – Metamorphoses sugars in waste into ethanol fuel via Food Waste Biogas Plant. Benefits for Restaurants & Food Factories Reduced Landfill – Diverts significant volumes of food waste from landfills, cutting down disposal expenses, and environmental hazards and impacts. Renewable Energy – Creates a reliable source of green energy, lowering utility bills and reducing carbon footprints. Circular Economy – Converts waste into relevant resources like energy and fertilizers, supporting sustainable objectives. Sustainable Practices – Supports zero-waste goals and accentuates green credentials, appealing to eco-conscious customers. CH Four Energy Solutions-prominent name in Food Waste Biogas Plant manufacturing in Pune, Maharashtra, India, operates under the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), which is responsible for managing food waste biogas plants and ensuring compliance with environmental standards, specifically the Solid Waste Management Rules & Water/Air Acts. MPCB generally categorizes such units under orange or green categories, depending on the scale and waste type, and requires operators to obtain consent to establish and operate. These plants are usually viewed as a sustainable waste-management solution, often needed in commercial establishments/developments for on-site treatment. Key MPCB Requirements/Criteria & Guidelines for Food Waste Biogas Plant Some of the Key MPCB requirements and guidelines that need to be followed for the Food Waste Biogas Plant are as follows: Mandatory Consents (CTE/CTO) Authorization – Required for setting up waste processing and disposal provisions in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016. Consent to Establish (CTE) – Involves obtaining before starting construction of the biogas plant. Consent to Operate (CTO) – Entails obtaining before commencing operations. The operator should submit Form I to the MPCB for authorization to process and dispose of waste. Operational & Technical Compliance Segregation – Food Waste Biogas Plant should ensure proper segregation of wet (food) waste, as it is critical to smooth functioning. Capacity & Location – Land requirements vary, for instance, 300-1000 sq. meters for 1-10 tonne plants. Treatment Standards – Plant should manage sludge/slurry, frequently employing sludge drying beds for producing manure. Gas Handling – If applicable, the industry must provide H2S scrubbers for sulphur recovery from biogas. Air Pollution Control – Sufficient stack height, for example, 3 meters, for DG sets or boilers, as per CPCB norms. Monitoring & Reporting Online Monitoring/Surveillance – For larger food waste biogas plants, online monitoring system installations for parameters like pH, Flow, BOD, and TSS are needed. Quarterly Statements-Operators need to submit quarterly statements about compliance with consent conditions. Waste Tracking – Waste quantities records & disposal methods should be maintained. General Conditions Environmental Cell – The industry must comprise an Environmental Cell for monitoring daily compliance. Green Region – Provisions/amenities for odour control and maintaining the green belt surrounding the facility are required. Bank Guarantee (BG) – MPCB often requires a Bank Guarantee, for instance, Rs. 10 lakhs,

It has become something one can hardly ignore due to climate change. Thus, every country has committed to specific goals within a certain timeframe. India has not also lagged in the race. It has committed to appreciable goals towards a greener future. India, to give an example, had promised to reach net-zero emission by 2070, produce half of its energy with renewable sources and lower per capita carbon by 45 percent by 2030. Of course, these goals cannot remain on paper. They demand extensive efforts from the country’s government and its citizens. Although the situation is improving by the day, some concerns present challenges that hamper the country’s climate objectives. Food waste is one such gigantic concern. Landfills overflowing with rotting veggies and forgotten leftovers have become common! Food Waste Biogas Plants step in as a solution to this growing concern.  But how effective are those at the macro level, especially India’s climate goals? Let’s see. What is a Food Waste Biogas Plant? Biogas plants convert organic waste like agricultural residues, food scraps, and animal manure into biogas – a blend of methane and CO2. You can use this biogas as a clean energy source for cooking fuel or to generate electricity. Food Waste Biogas Plants convert food scraps into renewable energy. Hence, while managing waste, they also help produce clean energy. Generating food waste is also making huge contribution to bulge the landfills and expansive the methane emissions. Thus, by managing food waste, biogas plants offer an eco-friendly solution! Here’s a more detailed explanation that focuses on the latter part. Well it is mandatory to choose the right food waste biogas plant for your needs and many may not be aware of it. So, don’t worry we have covered it for you. Read our blog on “How to Choose the Right Food Waste Biogas Plant”? 5 Ways Food Waste Biogas Plants Contribute to India’s Climate Objectives From lowering methane emissions to promoting the circular economy, let’s look at five ways food waste biogas facilities accelerate India’s journey to climate goals. Reducing Methane Emissions from Landfills Diverting food waste from landfills to biogas plants can help reduce methane emissions. When food decomposes in an anaerobic environment, it generates biogas that you can use as a renewable energy source. As it helps avoid air pollution, it will enable India to become a step closer to its climate targets. Producing Renewable Energy Generating renewable energy is one of India’s primary missions by the end of this decade. Food Waste Biogas Plants produce methane-rich biogas that can generate electricity. Scaling these facilities can help reduce the stress on conventional grids. So, while reducing the dependence on coal and other fossil fuels, the biogas can serve as a cooking fuel, lowering the reliance on LPG for millions of households. Effective Waste Management India is home to several mountain ranges. But it is also one of the manmade heaps of solid waste! Unfortunate, but true! But do you know, a significant amount of this waste is organic, primarily food waste? Yes. The biogas plants provide a long lasting and successful waste management solution. They serve as an avenue to divert food waste, shifting the burden on landfills. The shift helps save acres of valuable landmass and also mitigates health and environmental hazards resulting from poor waste disposal. Creating Green Jobs Yes. This is another significant advantage and a major step towards India’s climate goals. Biogas construction, operation, and waste collection and processing require employing a huge workforce. It includes technical and community-based workforce and service providers who support biogas management in various ways. While creating employment, it also means more people from rural and urban areas joining the revolution and contributing to India’s climate objectives. Promoting Circular Economy Another big goal of making the circular economy is also concerning climate. Food Waste Biogas Plants serve this purpose.  Instead of discarding waste, a Food Waste Biogas Plant turns it into a valuable resource – biogas and nutrient-rich digestive. You can use this digestate as an organic fertilizer for agriculture, lowering the need for chemical fertilizers and thus, closing the loop. Embracing a Greener Future with CHFour’s Food Waste Biogas Plants! Food Waste Biogas Plants have already become a revolution with proven benefits at the local and global levels.  If you also want to reap their benefits at the individual level and contribute to the country’s climate goals, partner with CHFour. We are trusted partners with experience building, operating, and maintaining Food Waste Biogas Plants for commercial and residential use. So, let’s strengthen the revolution together. Connect with us at +91 8055573883 to discuss your requirement and join the food waste biogas bandwagon!