Divert, US Cold Storage Converting Unused Food into Biofuels, Soil Enrichment
Circular food supply project developer Divert is partnering with refrigeration warehouser United States Cold Storage (USCS) on a recycling program to take unsellable food and beverage products and turn them into renewable energy and/or soil amendments.
Unsold and non-donatable food and beverage products from USCS’s California locations are brought to Divert’s Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility in Turlock, California, as a part of this program. The facility leverages Divert's proprietary depackaging and anaerobic digestion solutions to securely process the material into carbon-negative renewable energy–such as biofuels–and nutrient-rich soil amendments.
“This collaboration represents a meaningful step in advancing our sustainability objectives by reducing environmental impact, strengthening compliance, and driving greater efficiencies across our operations,” said Sara Cook, Sustainable Development Manager, United States Cold Storage.
The process prevents the material from going to landfill, where it can emit harmful greenhouse gases. Divert’s solutions will help USCS take better informed resource management decisions across its operations.
Moreover, the program complies with California’s Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383), which mandates redirecting organic waste from landfills and encourages the use of anaerobic digestion to create renewable energy.
“Creating reliable and flexible diversion pathways to support our customers across the food value chain represents a massive opportunity to drive environmental and operational impact,” said Andrew Johnston, VP and GM, Industrials, Divert. “Our collaboration with USCS demonstrates how the cold storage industry can turn a challenge into a value-generating solution—meeting compliance requirements, reducing emissions, and unlocking positive ESG and business outcomes.”
United States Cold Storage is the third largest public refrigerated warehousing provider nationwide.