New Research Identifies Nearly 70 Million Tons of Food Waste as Potential Renewable Energy Feedstock

Date: November 6, 2026

Source: American Biogas Council

The American Biogas Council released new research identifying 404 U.S. facilities that produce biogas from food waste, including 204 facilities that process food waste without manure or municipal wastewater co-feedstocks. These dedicated facilities represent nearly $3 billion in capital investment and generate approximately 36 billion cubic feet of biogas annually. The research also identified substantial opportunities for expansion: processing the approximately 70 million tons of food waste discarded annually in the United States could produce an estimated additional 181 billion cubic feet of biogas, equivalent to approximately 113 million MMBtu of energy.

The findings are particularly important for companies developing anaerobic digesters, organics collection networks, and food waste processing facilities. According to the council, 42 food waste biogas projects commissioned since 2020 account for 32% of the industry's annual biogas production and 45% of total investment, suggesting that newer facilities are generally larger and more capital-intensive. The research also highlights the importance of food waste collection infrastructure, tipping fees, renewable natural gas markets, and regulatory incentives in determining the economic feasibility of new projects. The figures represent technical market potential, rather than a forecast of commercially recoverable volumes.

Learn more: https://americanbiogascouncil.org/nearly-70-million-tons-of-food-waste-could-be-a-major-source-of-renewable-energy-new-research-finds/

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