Divert Inc. announces first food waste processing plant in Ohio

Divert Inc., an impact technology company, has announced Harrison, Ohio, as the location of a future Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility. The facility is expected to prevent and process wasted food and spark local economic development by bringing new jobs to Hamilton County.

“For nearly 17 years, Divert has pioneered advanced technologies and sustainable infrastructure that prevent wasted food,” Divert co-founder and CEO Ryan Begin says. “Hamilton County is an important hub for agriculture and food manufacturing, and we are eager to introduce our mission and solutions to benefit this area. Divert is grateful to have significant local support, and we are ready to get to work to make a positive environmental, economic and social impact on this community.”

In Hamilton County, Ohio alone, 60 million pounds of food is wasted annually, equivalent to approximately 74 pounds per person. With the food insecurity rate in the county at 12.5 percent, nearly 1 percent higher than the national average, there is a clear opportunity to address this crisis, Divert says.

Divert is tackling this problem across the U.S. and soon in Ohio, leveraging technology-enabled infrastructure to prevent food from going to waste by converting inedible wasted food into renewable energy. The facility will also provide companies with actionable data to take preventative steps to waste less food and donate more to feed people, addressing food insecurity.

“Cincinnati takes great pride in welcoming Divert’s first processing plant in Ohio and further contributing to a region which Site Selection named as the No. 3 U.S. metro for sustainability,” REDI Cincinnati President and CEO Kimm Lauterbach says. “Transforming wasted food material into renewable natural gas energy underscores our region’s dynamic, advanced manufacturing sector and unwavering dedication to innovation. Additionally, Divert’s commitment to rescuing and redirecting edible food to our community aligns with the collective effort to foster prosperity and well-being for all across the region.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Divert to the community,” Harrison Mayor Ryan Grubbs adds. “And we celebrate the successful collaboration between our regional and state partners that has brought this esteemed company to our area. Divert’s presence not only fills a critical need for our community, region and the State of Ohio, but also strengthens our local economy and workforce. We look forward to supporting Divert’s growth and shared success in the years to come.”

Kroger, which has collaborated with Divert on other projects, says Divert’s facilities are instrumental in supporting our operational efforts.

“The new facility in Ohio will greatly benefit our local communities by providing the necessary infrastructure to efficiently manage and recycle unsold organic products,” says Keith Dailey, group vice president of corporate affairs and chief sustainability officer at Kroger.

Divert operates 13 facilities across the U.S., capturing wasted food from retailers, food manufacturers and other companies, transforming it into carbon-negative renewable energy, thereby preventing it from emitting harmful methane in landfills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To date, the company has processed 2.6 billion pounds of wasted food and helped to facilitate the donation of over 14 million pounds of food to feed communities in need.