Sodexo becomes a leading player in food waste management by partnering with the bio-cleantech company, Genecis Bioindustries Inc. Français
BURLINGTON, ON, May 30, 2019 /CNW/ - Sodexo formalized its partnership with Genecis Bioindustries Inc., taking a big step toward a circular economy and reducing food waste. Genecis is a cleantech startup that uses programmed bacteria to digest food waste and turn it into biodegradable plastic granules. Those granules can be later used to make compostable tableware and containers.
Based in Toronto, Genecis Bioindustries is an early-stage organic waste processor that uses biotechnology to convert food waste into polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHAs) biodegradable plastics and fertilizer. The technology reduces the time and cost of making PHAs by as much as 40 per cent. The two-step process is based on two groups of specialized bacteria used throughout the process: the first group digests food waste, producing short-chain carbons as volatile fatty acids, which acts as the precursor feedstock for the second group, which eats these carbons and converts them into bioplastics.
Genecis Bioindustries' new technology offers an alternative to organic waste going into landfills and producing huge amounts of greenhouse gases. This partnership strengthens Sodexo's goal to reduce food waste by 50 per cent from its operations by 2025 and to reduce our carbon footprint by 34%.
"Of all the companies we came across, Sodexo is among the rare few who has deeply embedded concepts of sustainability and food reduction into their corporate structure, development, and in every major decision. We cannot be more delighted to partner with Sodexo and collaborate towards building a better tomorrow," said Luna Yu, CEO Genecis Bioindustries Inc.
Genecis and Sodexo began working together over a year ago. A pilot project in the Toronto area diverted more than 1,430 kilograms of food waste and 1,210 kilograms of CO2 gas emissions in six months. Sodexo's global reach will allow the program to be expanded to other sites around the world.
"We're excited about the future of this partnership with Genecis. We are continuously evolving our services to improve quality of life, and this requires innovation and collaboration with cutting-edge startups like Genecis," said Suzanne Bergeron, President Sodexo Canada.
Sodexo's Better Tomorrow 2025 corporate responsibility strategy is focused on reducing food waste, promoting gender equality and improving the communities where it operates.
About Sodexo Canada
Sodexo has been delivering On-Site Services in Canada for over 40 years. Recognized as a strategic partner, Sodexo Canada is dedicated to providing Quality of Life Services for clients, their employees and visitors in the corporate, education, healthcare and energy and resources segments. These Quality of Life Services create healthy, safe, and efficient environments allowing individuals and organizations to grow and succeed.
Delivering food and facilities management services for over 185 clients, Sodexo is a market leader in Canada in terms of revenue and consumers served, and has been recognized as a top diversity employer for the past six consecutive years. Sodexo Canada is proud to have created the Stop Hunger Foundation, an independent charitable organization, that has raised over $3 million to fight hunger and donated more than 1 million meals to at-risk youth across Canada since 2007.
- 13,000 employees
- 100+services
- 185 clients
- 223 sites
About Genecis Bioindustries Incorporated
Genecis is a Toronto-based biotechnology company comprised of an award-winning team of scientists and engineers, with backgrounds in biotechnology, biochemistry, engineering, data analytics and automation. Genecis makes premium chemicals and materials accessible through biotechnology. Genecis is redefining the value of organic waste and creating circular economics within the food, organic waste management, and plastics industries. Genecis' first product line is PHA bioplastics, a high-quality bioplastics polymer that can be used to make 3D printing filaments, foodware, and flexible packaging, among many other applications. Since inception in 2017, Genecis has scaled rapidly and is now receiving global demand for their biodegradable polymers. For more information about Genecis, visit www.genecis.co
SOURCE Sodexo Canada
Leslie Booth, Xposure PR, 416 427 1588
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