EnviroPure helps University of Illinois stop food waste to landfills, meet sustainability goals
TRAVELERS REST, S.C. , Nov. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its goal to be carbon neutral by 2050, the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL, has tapped into EnviroPure Systems to sustainably eliminate food waste generated across more than a dozen campus dining facilities.
"We are dedicated to reducing our impact on the environment as well as acting in a manner consistent with our students' values," said Thurman Etchison, assistant director of university dining services, which process about 40,000 meal transactions per day.
The EnviroPure disposal units use a combination of mechanical processing and aerobic decomposition to convert food waste into gray water that meets or exceeds municipal wastewater requirements.
"The EnviroPure digesters get the job done. It's pretty amazing when you see food go in and nothing but water coming out," Etchison said.
Through donation of overproduction and reduction of waste generated, the university reduced its total food waste, but the school still faced about 53 pounds of food waste per residential student per year. Ninety percent of it is processed through the school's six EnviroPure units; the remaining 10 percent is diverted to composting at a sustainable student farm.
"Waste reduction and food donation are crucial steps to a healthy food system, but inevitable prep and plate waste happens," said Jona Gallagher, national sales manager for EnviroPure. "Colleges and universities have been leaders in the food waste reduction effort, and EnviroPure is proud to offer a safe and sustainable solution to this pressing environmental concern."
The EPA estimates more food reaches landfills and incinerators than any other single material in everyday trash. Food waste in landfills produces environmentally damaging methane gas.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the University of Illinois has seen a financial advantage to using EnviroPure with reduced waste collection and hauling fees and fewer plumbing maintenance needs.
About EnviroPure Systems
EnviroPure Systems, Inc., a T&S company, manufactures self-contained, on-site food waste elimination systems for industrial, commercial and institutional foodservice operations. Using a proprietary, all-natural nutrient biomix that contains no enzymes, organic food waste is converted to a safe gray water byproduct within 24 hours with no odors, no sludge build-up and no system clean-outs required. For information, visit www.EnviroPureSystems.com.
Contact:
Amy Clarke Burns, public relations specialist
VantagePoint Marketing for EnviroPure
864.331.1273 or [email protected]
SOURCE EnviroPure Systems, Inc.
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