Michigan State University unveils system to convert campus waste to energy

An anaerobic digester that will re-use waste from Michigan State University’s farms and dining halls and create energy for several buildings on the south end of the East Lansing campus is up and running. The university says the digester will utilize about 17,000 tons of organic waste to generate 2.8 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year. The project is about $5 million. It is expected to pay for itself in less than 15 years. An anaerobic digester produces methane from decomposing waste material.