From Table to Farm – Anaerobic Digestion Workshop: Policy and AD Speakers

Last year, Emory University received a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to establish an on-campus prototype for an anaerobic digester (AD). This technology can turn food waste into biogas (renewable energy) and soil amendments (agricultural use). Ultimately, Emory is interested in demonstrating how to design an anaerobic digester that reduces environmental justice concerns. To that end, Emory hosted various stakeholder meetings in summer 2021 to develop collaborative relationships across sectors and institutions in working toward a common goal of addressing sustainability challenges.

In continuing its outreach and collaboration efforts, Emory’s AD team is hosting a virtual international workshop on Thursday, October 14, and Friday, October 15. The workshop will consist of a keynote speaker, Prof. Carlton Waterhouse, Deputy Assistant Administrator at the EPA, and three panels (one hour each) focused on environmental justice, policy, and the AD technology.

Moderator Shelby Busó, Chief Sustainability Officer, Atlanta Office of Resilience, City of Atlanta, Mayor’s Office of One Atlanta

Panelists:

Robert Harris, Operations Process Engineer, Gwinnett County Government, Department of Water Resources

Jennifer McDonnell, Resource Recovery Program Manager, NYC Environmental Protection, Office of Energy

Alex Nichols-Vinueza, Program Manager, Food Waste, World Wildlife Fund US