Toronto Organics Processing Facility All Set To Convert Food Waste Into Rng

By Author: Vivan Pathak
Total Articles: 6
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Toronto is all set to convert food waste into renewable natural gas from food leftover. The City of Toronto collaborated with Enbridge Gas Inc. to set-up equipment at Dufferin Solid Waste Management Facility. The equipment will be a biogas upgradation system which will be used to upgrade the biogas produced from processing food waste into renewable natural gas. This is being considered a big move in the domain of biogas upgradation.

Carlyle Khan, director infrastructure and resources management and solid waste management services for the City of Toronto said that this development in the North American region is one of the first of its kind. The city has emphasized on the importance of reducing carbon emissions time and again. The waste stream produced by the Dufferin Solid Waste Management Facility has been taken care of through biogas flaring which is one of the common ways undertaken as a way to eliminate dangerous gases with the lowest possible damage to the environment; however, the city wondered if there was a better way to manage this waste stream. The big question was if this biogas can be converted into something ...
... more useful.

The Big Idea Struck in 2014

The big idea of converting organic waste into renewable natural gas was first discussed about in the year 2014. The construction phase made its inception after the City of Toronto discussed the project viability with Enbridge Gas inc.

After a detailed discussion it was decided that Enbridge will not only design and install the biogas upgrdation system next to the Dufferin Organics Processing Facility with an injection system, but will also be responsible to operate and maintain it for the next 15 years on behalf of the city. The construction work started in 2018 and is estimated to get completed by the 3rd quarter of 2020.

Benefits of the organics processing facilities

Carbon emissions as a result of flaring biogas were an alarming concern for the City of Toronto. Setting up these organics processing facilities will not only address this huge problem, but will also help reduce greenhouse gases emitting from the city’s garbage truck fleet. The City of Toronto is also planning to heat city buildings and power city trucks by making the maximum use of the project.

What’s Next?

The City of Toronto is not only willing to share their unique experience with other cities and municipalities. They will also continue to promote their green bin program by diverting organics from landfills.

It is extremely important to address the climate change as it has become more important than ever. Carlyle Khan said that the high level of engagement is pretty encouraging. People have started to understand the vision behind the initiative. Both public and the stakeholders are equally excited about the initiative.

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