Some of the most promising solutions to protect and recover valuable resources come from an unexpected source: waste. The Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center (ADREC) at Michigan State University is demonstrating how organic waste can be transformed into renewable energy, recoverable nutrients, and reusable water, creating a model for strengthening energy resilience and resource security while advancing goals in clean energy, agriculture, and public health.
Since 2013, MSU's full-scale South Campus Anaerobic Digestion (SCAD) facility has processed diverse animal and food waste to generate renewable electricity and produce material for organic fertilizers tailored to crop needs. Researchers are also working to improve the safety and sustainability of these systems by investigating and managing risks related to emerging concerns such as PFAS, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and microplastics. Building on more than a decade of research and operation, and following the completion of MSU’s new Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center supported by a $30 million investment from the State of Michigan, the SCAD facility is undergoing a major renovation to expand its resource recovery capabilities and add renewable natural gas production capacity. These upgrades will further advance technologies that convert agricultural waste into renewable energy and other valuable resources, contributing to long-term energy and resource resilience.
Anaerobic digestion produces a gas that can be used to generate electricity and thermal energy or can be refined into renewable natural gas. Using domestic waste streams for energy can reduce dependence on vulnerable supply chains and improve energy resilience during disruptions. Researchers at MSU estimate that fully utilizing Michigan's organic waste resources could generate 2% to 4% of the state's electricity needs, creating a distributed and locally controlled energy source that can contribute to energy independence and is less susceptible to disruption.
The same technology addresses another challenge with national significance: resource security. MSU's researchers are developing methods to recover nitrogen and phosphorus from waste for use as efficient, targeted fertilizers. Water is also recovered from the process for agricultural and industrial reuse. This can reduce dependence on commercial fertilizers and lead to cleaner water with reduced runoff and harmful algae blooms. These efforts help safeguard the Great Lakes, which provide drinking water to more than 40 million people. Protecting water quality is not only an environmental goal but also a strategic necessity for economic stability and public health.
By transforming waste into energy, nutrients, and clean water, researchers are creating a system that protects natural resources and strengthens community resilience. The anaerobic digester connects energy independence, infrastructure security, and environmental stewardship to create impacts that reach from local farms to national priorities.
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