2026 Reports

Co-Digestion and Gas to Grid in New York City

Boenigk, Lili

The Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in New York City hosts one of the first renewable natural gas “gas-to-grid” projects in the United States. The project uses co-digestion, adding processed organic food waste to wastewater digesters to increase biogas production. Through a public-private partnership involving the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Waste Management of New York, and National Grid, the biogas is purified and injected into the city’s natural gas distribution system. The system diverts organic waste from landfills, eliminates routine flaring, and produces enough renewable gas to heat about 5,200 homes. Overall, the project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 90,000 metric tons annually while advancing circular economy infrastructure in cities.