Divert's food waste-derived fertilizers received organic certification, validating an innovative approach to food system circularity and diverting organic material from landfills.
Divert, Inc. announced this week that two of its proprietary food waste-derived fertilizer products, Divert Agricultural Blend and Divert Biological Nutrient, have achieved organic certification from the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
This certification validates a novel approach to food system circularity, offering a compliant pathway for retailers and food processors to divert organic waste from landfills while providing certified organic inputs for agricultural use. The move directly impacts waste haulers, composting facilities, and agricultural suppliers by establishing a new, high-value end market for discarded food materials.
Organic Certification Validates Food Waste Valorization
The OMRI and CDFA certifications confirm that Divert's fertilizers meet stringent organic production standards, making them eligible for use in certified organic farming operations across the United States. This development positions Divert to scale its waste-to-fertilizer operations, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from landfilling organic waste.
- Divert processes over 300,000 tons of wasted food annually across 10 facilities nationwide.
- The company's patented anaerobic digestion technology converts food waste into biogas and nutrient-rich digestate.
- Divert Agricultural Blend is a liquid fertilizer, while Divert Biological Nutrient is a solid soil amendment.
- Both products are now listed on the OMRI Products List and registered with the CDFA Organic Input Material Program.
- This certification opens access to the $60 billion US organic food market for Divert's agricultural customers.
Expanding End Markets for Organic Waste Streams
The organic certification creates significant opportunities for organic waste handlers and processors. Traditionally, food waste not destined for animal feed or direct human consumption has faced limited high-value end-of-life options beyond composting or anaerobic digestion for energy. While valuable, these avenues often present logistical or market challenges. Divert's certified organic fertilizers introduce a premium product stream, potentially increasing the gate fees organic waste processors can command or reducing disposal costs for generators.
"Achieving OMRI and CDFA organic certifications for our fertilizers marks a pivotal moment for Divert and the broader food system," stated Ryan Begin, CEO and co-founder of Divert. "We are providing scalable solutions that not only prevent wasted food from reaching landfills but also create valuable, certified organic products that support sustainable agriculture."
What This Means for Recyclers
Recyclers and waste management firms operating in the organic waste sector should closely monitor Divert's expansion and similar ventures. This development signals a growing demand for advanced processing technologies that can transform organic waste into high-value commodities, moving beyond basic composting. Operators may need to evaluate investments in pre-processing equipment, anaerobic digestion capabilities, or partnerships with companies like Divert to capture value from increasingly stringent organic waste diversion mandates and evolving market demands for sustainable agricultural inputs.
