Food waste is a significant challenge for ships, particularly those that spend extended periods at sea, such as LNGs and tankers, which often traverse multiple ports. Each port has its own set of regulations and compliance requirements, making it even more confusing for ships to manage their food waste properly. To address this issue, cold food waste storage units have become a common solution on board. 

Food waste refrigerators or freezers allow ships to store food waste until they reach shore, where it can be transported off the ship for processing. The benefits of using cold storage units are manifold. Firstly, refrigerating the food waste helps to mitigate odors and prevent insects from infesting it. Secondly, it decelerates spoilage and rotting, ensuring that the waste remains in a manageable state. 

However, while cold storage units help ships handle their food waste problem, they come with their own issues. It is expensive in terms of both space and energy, and the limited capacity of the refrigerator can be a constraint.

Depending on how much space a ship may have, a refrigerator or a freezer may be used. Thawing out frozen food waste also creates a problem for ships to deal with later. Despite these limitations, food waste freezers can help temporarily address the food waste issue on ships. 

However, an alternative solution that has gained popularity is the use of food waste biodigesters such as the LFC biodigester. These stainless steel machines are placed in the galley or garbage room, where food scraps and waste are thrown in as they are generated. Inside the biodigesters, microorganisms break down the waste and convert it into water, which is then discharged into the grey water system.

Food waste biodigesters help solve many of these problems by tackling food waste as it happens. This eliminates the need for food waste storage and helps alleviate the space issue on ships.

The LFC biodigester has emerged as a popular food waste biodigester among various cargo ships, tankers, and FSRUs. This innovative machine is designed to effectively reduce food waste on board. One notable feature of the LFC biodigester is that it prevents plastics from going to the ocean. The machine has a mesh screen through which only digested organic waste can pass, trapping plastics and other inorganic material in the drum.

The LFC biodigester weighs the amount of waste that is ingested, reporting it on its color LCD screen that provides valuable information and feedback to the users. By implementing the LFC biodigester, these ships can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly operation by significantly reducing their food waste and its associated environmental impact.

Learn more about the LFC biodigester here.