From Food to Water

The City of Newark recently joined with Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey to unveil a new food waste liquefier at the hospital that transforms food to water. The device was partly funded by the City of Newark with funds from the US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, and it provides the hospital with an innovative resource for reducing food waste. Newark Beth Israel is the first hospital in Essex County to make use of this technology.
 
The Food Waste Liquefier, created by Food2Water, is a four-step process using Food2Water’s blend of microorganisms mixed in with food waste that breaks the waste down into water immediately. The resulting water is then drained to the sewer system. All of the food waste is liquefied within 24 hours. Newark Beth Israel and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, a 673-unit hospital, produces approximately 300-400 pounds of food daily. Reducing this waste to a safe liquid saves the hospital money on waste disposal that can then be put back into its programs. The technology also helps promote improved air quality since it reduces the need for garbage truck trips as well as the amount of material sent to the regional trash incinerator located in Newark’s East Ward. 
 
“My administration is committed to supporting efforts to make Newark greener and improve sustainability. This new liquefier is a cutting-edge approach to cutting down on our waste, and making Newark even more environmentally-friendly. I congratulate my Sustainability team on supporting this important project and I commend Beth Israel Hospital and Clean Water Fund for their initiative,” Mayor Cory A. Booker said in a statement.
 
John A. Brennan, MD, MPH, President and Chief Executive Officer of NBIMC and CHoNJ, said, “As a major healthcare organization that produces large amounts of food waste, it is important for us to explore alternatives to traditional disposal.  By using the food waste liquefier we are extending our commitment beyond our current green environmental investments – making Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey a greener place to work and serve our patient community.”     
 
 
“Food2Water is proud of our relationship with the Clean Water Fund and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey – the premier hospital facility in Essex County New Jersey,” said Frank Florio, CEO of Food2Water, which is based in Franklin Lakes.  “The installation of the Food2Water technology at Newark Beth Israel exemplifies their commitment to going green and is inspiring to other businesses as they realize this facility will virtually eliminate their food waste from entering landfills, thereby reducing green house gases and reducing their disposal related pollution and costs.”
 
City of Newark Sustainability Officer Stephanie Greenwood as well as representatives from the offices of State Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer and Newark South Ward Council Member Ras Baraka attended the announcement and demonstration.  Also in attendance were Darrell K. Terry, Chief Operating Officer and Leroy Boone, Assistant Vice President, Support Services, NBIMC and CHoNJ.