VERNON, ALA.—Marathon Equipment Co. and BioHitech America announced a strategic alliance to promote organic waste processing products worldwide. Industry experts estimate that more than 40 percent of the food produced in the United States—more than $50 billion—is thrown into the garbage every year. This equates to more than 32 million tons of food waste, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates costs more than $1 billion annually in disposal costs.
In its commitment to help customers reduce the costs associated with managing solid waste, Marathon, an industry leader in compaction and recycling equipment, has sought the expertise of Allendale, N.J.-based BioHitech America in addressing the growing challenge of effectively handling organic waste. BioHitech has worked with inventor, Mr. Chun Il Koh, and his company, BioHitech International, which have created a unique organic waste decomposition system, to bring this technology to the United States.
This system, marketed as the Marathon Eco-Safe Digester, uses a highly refined formula of microorganisms that breaks down organic waste and converts it into a liquid that can be safely flushed down the drain, enabling the effluent to return to the ecosystem as water. The Eco-Safe Digester can quickly and safely decompose virtually all organic food waste including, but not limited to, meat, poultry, fish, grains, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables. Approximately 100 gallons of effluent is produced by every 1,200 pounds of food processed.
Multiple Environmental Benefits
The Eco-Safe Digester helps divert waste from landfills while delivering multiple environmental benefits and measurable cost savings. According to Geoff Apthorp, vice president of engineering and business development at Environmental Solutions Group (ESG), of which Marathon is a part, the Eco-Safe Digester is an innovative, “green,” value-added solution that addresses longstanding unmet customer needs in organic waste stream handling.
“The Eco-Safe Digester is an ideal solution for high-volume food waste generators, like supermarkets, hospitals, schools, prisons, restaurants, and hotels,” Apthorp says. “We have seen customers’ waste hauling costs reduced from 20 to 50 percent per month depending on their individual waste stream composition and local cost variables. Hauling savings of this magnitude generate a very rapid return on investment and an attractive total cost of ownership for our Eco-Safe Digester customers.”
BioHitech America introduced this product to the U.S. market in 2008, where it quickly developed a following and earned the Innovation in Green Technology Award at the 2008 International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show. Dozens of units are installed across the country at major restaurant chains, ballparks, supermarkets, prisons, hospitals, universities, resorts, and national parks. BioHitech views the new alliance with Marathon as the ideal way to raise awareness about this innovative product in the solid waste industry.
Well Tested Technology
“Our product has undergone years of rigorous testing, and we are very excited about working with Marathon to get this technology to customers who can benefit the most,” says Frank E. Celli, CEO of BioHitech America.
Marathon began manufacturing the Eco-Safe Digester at its production facility in Vernon, Ala., on June 1, 2011. Local service and support will be provided by a network of more than 200 qualified dealers throughout North America. BioHitech will actively work with Marathon to identify market applications and provide technical support.
“Our alliance simplifies how customers do business with us,” says Bill Wilkerson, vice president of sales at ESG. “Now the Marathon team can help customers choose both compactor solutions and food waste solutions. It’s a win-win situation for everyone but, most importantly, for our customers.”
Go to BioHitech America and Marathon.
