Denali, the nation’s foremost recycler of organic materials, has launched ReCirculate, a compost and organic potting soil product derived from food waste collected from thousands of grocery stores. Set to hit retail locations across the US in January 2025, ReCirculate will be available in one-cubic-foot bags.
Through its advanced depackaging technology and services, Denali not only repurposes waste but also contributes to combating climate change by diverting food waste from landfills and replenishing valuable nutrients for agriculture and horticulture.
According to the EPA, food is the leading material in landfills, accounting for an estimated 24% of municipal solid waste in the US. When food waste decomposes in landfills, it generates methane—a greenhouse gas that is 28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.
“At Denali, we aim to harness the potential of organic waste, and ReCirculate exemplifies this mission,” said Todd Mathes, CEO of Denali. “By leveraging the nutrients in organic food waste, ReCirculate supports the development of sustainable green spaces, landscaping, gardens, flower beds, and more, all while fostering a fully circular economy. This product not only encourages consumers to opt for eco-friendly potting soil and compost but also enables retailers to profit from food waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, significantly reducing their carbon footprint.”
Denali collaborates with retailers ranging from national big-box chains to regional and independent businesses, utilizing innovative depackaging technology to separate organic food waste from its packaging. This process transforms waste into a clean stream of materials that can be turned into valuable products like compost, soil, fertilizer, and renewable energy.
“ReCirculate is a testament to Denali’s distinctive approach to tackling food waste, making a meaningful impact on climate change,” Mathes added. “Consumers can take pride in knowing they are directly preventing food waste from reaching landfills while using safe, effective, and eco-friendly compost.”
In 2023 alone, Denali recycled 14 billion pounds of organic material, including 1.7 billion pounds of food waste. This achievement is a result of Denali’s innovative depackaging services offered to thousands of grocers, food manufacturers, distributors, and municipalities nationwide.
Denali’s network of depackaging facilities can successfully separate up to 97% of non-organic materials from food waste, including expired items, recalled products, food scraps, and spoiled goods from delis, bakeries, and produce sections.