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Anaerobic Digestion (AD)

  • Anaerobic Digestion

    Anaerobic digestion is the process by which microorganisms break down organic (carbon-based) materials, such as food waste, grease, and wastewater solids in the absence of oxygen. This process produces biogas, a renewable energy source, as well as digestate or biosolids, residual materials that facilities can treat and use in beneficial applications. Co-digestion is the simultaneous anaerobic digestion of multiple organic materials in one digester, such as food waste and manure.

  • EPA Closes Round Six

    From June to August 2024, EPA conducted the sixth and final survey of AD facilities processing food waste for the AD data collection project. Thanks to all who participated! 

  • The Results Are In

    Check out the Anaerobic Digesters Processing Food Waste in the United States (2020 & 2021) survey results summary webpage.

Basic Information

Anaerobic digestion facility
  • How does AD work?
  • Types of anaerobic digesters
  • Environmental benefits
  • Frequent questions
  • Sustainable Management of Food
  • Sign up for our newsletter "In the Loop with EPA - Circular Economy Updates".

Tools & Resources

Reviewing charts and graphs
  • AD Data Collection Project
  • EPA Biogas Toolkit
  • Permitting and Regulations for Anaerobic Digesters
  • AgSTAR
  • Excess Food Opportunities Map
  • More AD resources

Publications

  • Project Development Handbook
  • Anaerobic Digestion and its Applications (pdf) (1.26 MB)
  • Food Waste Research
  • Food Waste to Energy: How Six Water Resource Recovery Facilities are Boosting Biogas Production and the Bottom Line (pdf) (3.64 MB)
  • Opportunities for Combined Heat and Power at Wastewater Treatment Facilities: Market Analysis and Lessons from the Field (pdf) (1.21 MB)
  • Evaluating the Air Quality, Climate, and Economic Impacts of Biogas Management Technologies (pdf)(19. MB)
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on May 5, 2025
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