With the enactment of multiple organic food management laws in 2022 and 2024, WR has actively engaged in both the legislative process and ongoing rulemaking. As part of these efforts, the Government Affairs team toured DIVERT, Inc.’s new facility under construction in Longview, the first commercial-scale anaerobic digestion plant of its kind in Washington State, now slated to open in early 2026.
While composting inedible food has long been the dominant process, anaerobic digestion offers an alternative that generates renewable biogas as a byproduct. DIVERT’s Longview facility will not only convert inedible food into renewable biogas, which will be directly piped into the regional gas utility for industrial use, but also leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to help major grocery retailers reduce food waste at the source. The insights will guide purchasing decisions and improve donation of edible food to food banks, advancing both prevention and diversion goals.
This site visit enhanced understanding of how retail grocers can meet state and local requirements with operational flexibility and cost efficiency. As food waste prevention and landfill diversion remain top priorities for policymakers and our members, WR will continue advocating for cost-effective, scalable solutions that align with these goals.
