Expansion Management

Turning Food Into Fertilizer

Feb. 24, 2010

Converted Organics, based in Boston, produces organic fertilizer by processing 100 tons of food waste per week.

Business is good so the company is increasing production to 175 tons per week using newly acquired manufacturing equipment.

Production will take place at its Woodbridge plant in New Jersey. The company also has a manufacturing facility in Gonzales, Calif., and just this week the company signed an agreement with MassOrganics I which will give it a third manufacturing facility in Sutton, Mass.

If you are wondering about the production process, the company uses its proprietary High Temperature Liquid Composting (HTLC) system, a microbial digestion technology, to process various biodegradable food wastes into dry pellet and liquid concentrate organic fertilizers.

Where do they get the waste? Waste Management of New Jersey, IESI Corp., Premier Food Waste Recycling and Filco Carting Corp. provide the company an 'ongoing and reliable supply of high-quality food waste, according to Robert Bayliss, Vice President of Manufacturing for Converted Organics.

Converted Organics sells and distributes its fertilizer products in the retail, professional turf management and agribusiness markets.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko Blog | Senior Editor

Focus: Expansion Management & the Biotech & Life Sciences Industries

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Senior Editor Adrienne Selko manages IndustryWeek’s Expansion Management, delivering ideas and information about how successful manufacturers leverage location to gain competitive advantage. She explores the strategies behind why companies located their headquarters, research institutes, factories, warehouse and distribution centers and other facilities where they did, and how they benefit from the decision.

Adrienne is also the editorial coordinator of the IndustryWeek Expansion Management Roundtable events, which unites economic development professionals to network and discuss the latest trends in site location.

As well, Adrienne tells the stories of successful companies in the biotechnology and life sciences industries.

In the past, Adrienne has managed IndustryWeek’s award-winning website, overseeing eNewletters, webinars, and contributed content. Before joining the staff, Adrienne was managing editor of corporate publications at a large regional financial institution. She also ran a public relations and marketing company that published a best-selling healthcare book.

Adrienne received a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Michigan and is especially interested in wellness and natural health.