Marin Sanitary Service
Food 2 Energy Program

Welcome to Marin Sanitary Service’s Food 2 Energy program, an innovative initiative transforming commercial food waste into renewable energy. Our program helps businesses and households in Marin County divert organic waste from landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability. Join us in creating a cleaner, greener community through effective food waste recycling.

At Marin Sanitary Service, our commitment to finding the highest and best use of our collected material is never ending.

In 2014, in partnership with the Central Marin Sanitation Agency, we launched the Food 2 Energy program (F2E) to convert every banana peel, stale loaf of bread, and meat trimming into a renewable energy source right here in Marin County.

Since starting the program in 2014 we’ve enrolled 196 restaurants, cafeterias, and grocery stores. To date, 6,300 tons of food scraps have been diverted from the landfill and avoided 5,533 metric tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere. This is equivalent to removing 14,335 cars from the road!

How does the F2E program work?

The program takes food waste from participating, qualified local restaurants and grocery stores and converts the material into a bio-gas through anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic digestion is a process that converts organic material into a methane gas.

That methane gas is then utilized as a power source for the Central Marin Sanitation Agency and helps power the operation of their sewage treatment facility allowing them to pump water, run filters, and clean Marin’s waste water before it goes into the bay.

Another benefit of the conversion process is the avoided methane emissions at Redwood Landfill from the decomposition of organic materials and the reduction of truck trips from San Rafael to Novato.

It’s a winning combination!

What businesses qualify for F2E?

Food 2 Energy is a program specifically for commercial businesses that are large food waste generators such as restaurants, assisted living facilities, grocery stores, schools, hospitals, and any other business or institutional facility that has food service. In our service areas, there are approximately 250 large food waste generators who produce nearly 15 tons of food waste per day.

When you set up service with us, an outreach coordinator will review these options with you to assess your qualifications for this program. You may end up as both a compostables customer and enrolled in our Food 2 Energy program, if that makes sense for your business.

Under California’s SB 1383 law, some businesses may be required to donate their edible food. For more information please go to zerowastemarin.org.

Why participate?

A F2E label held up against the Sprouts Market sign

Greenhouse Gas Reduction – When food waste is sent to the landfill, it undergoes a type of decomposition without oxygen. This process creates an abundant amount of methane gas that is 21 times more harmful than carbon dioxide, which seeps into the atmosphere. The F2E program captures that methane and transforms it into a less harmful carbon dioxide gas.
Save Money – The F2E program’s rate is greatly decreased from the garbage rate. We encourage participants to reduce their garbage service after enrolling in F2E reduces their overall bill.
Advertising – Participants will receive program window decals and will be able to use the F2E logo on print materials and on their website to assure customers that they support Zero Waste.
Landfill Diversion – In a 2014 study, MSS found that around 30% of all material is sent to Redwood Landfill is food waste. Diverting the food waste reduces the amount of solid waste sent there, which increases the longevity of the site.

How does the anaerobic digestion process work?

Curious about how anaerobic digestion works and what becomes of your food scraps? Check out this Food 2 Energy Infographic (PDF).

What carts are available for the F2E program?

If you qualify to enroll in our Food 2 Energy program, a recycling coordinator will review cart options with you.

Two Food 2 Energy green carts and their dimensions

Get F2E labels for your carts.

Thumbnail image of the MSS F2E Cart Label pdf Use this handy 8.5 X 11 F2E label/poster (PDF) to remind your team what can go into your F2E carts.

Keep your F2E carts contamination free.

Post this F2E Contamination Flyer (PDF) near your F2E cart as a reminder that twist ties, stickers, and rubber bands do not belong!

WHAT GOES IN THE F2E Cart

Please make sure your Food 2 Energy receptacles are clearly marked and easy to identify.

WHAT GOES IN THE F2E CART

FOOD SCRAPS ONLY

WHAT CANNOT GO IN THE F2E CART

Have Questions?

Our customer support representatives are available Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at (415) 456-2601.

Recycling Laws

What you need to know about California’s mandatory composting and recycling laws.

We Can Help

We provide compost and recycling opportunity assessments, diversion planning, training, and posters to help your business recycle successfully.

Marin Sanitary ServiceFood 2 Energy Program