ORGANIC WASTE TO RNG

Napa's Next Phase: Anaerobic Digestion Joins a Mature Composting System

The City of Napa is adding Zero Waste Energy's SMARTFERM plug flow anaerobic digestion (AD) technology to its existing composting facility.  The new AD is designed to process 44,000 tons per year of high-solids organic waste streams and convert them into 500,000 diesel gallon equivalents of renewable natural gas (RNG) for use in Napa's collection fleet.  The project received a $10 million CalRecycle grant and federal investment tax credits.  The AD is initially designed to process one-third food waste and two-thirds green waste.  Residential organic waste, which is mostly yard trimmings and soiled paper, is sent primarily to composting due to its relatively low methane potential and commercial food waste is prioritized for AD.  Over time, Napa plans to shift toward a higher proportion of food waste to increase biogas production.  The facility can also use biogas for electricity generation as California moves towards electrification of vehicle fleets.  For more information, click here.

Contents

• ORGANIC WASTE TO RNG
• AD FACILITY
• UPCOMING EVENTS

AD FACILITY

Anaergia signs $5.85M contract with Vanguard Renewables

Anaergia Technologies has signed a $5.85 million contract with Weston, Massachusetts-based Vanguard Renewables for an anaerobic digestion facility in Minnesota.  Anaergia Technologies will deliver its process technology, proprietary permanent synchronous magnet mixers and the Biogas Upgrading System, which Vanguard Renewables will use to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) from food, beverage and agricultural waste. For more information, click here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 7-8, 2026

2026 Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Conference and General Assembly
Palm Desert, CA
For more information, click here.

May 13, 2026

Southern California Waste Management Forum (SCWMF) Annual Business Meeting and Conference 
Buena Park, CA
For more information, click here.

May 18-21, 2026

Biogas Americas 2026
Detroit, MI
For more information, click here.

May 31-June 3, 2026

VerdeXchange Conference
Los Angeles, CA
For more information, click here.

June 10-11, 2026 

SoCal SWANA Annual Meeting + The Recycling Partnership Workshop
Garden Grove, CA
For more information, click here.

June 10, 2026

Recovered Textile Exhibit 
Los Angeles, CA
For more information, click here.

June 21-24, 2026

Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) 119th Annual Conference & Exhibition
Austin, TX
For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding the Southern California Conversion Technology newsletter, you may contact us at SoCalConversion@pw.lacounty.gov or visit our website at www.socalconversion.org for more information.