The JW Marriott Marquis Miami luxury hotel in downtown Miami installed LED lighting, motion-sensitive room thermostats, water meters and efficient shower heads as part of a sustainability initiative that benefits the environment and its bottom line.

Most recently the hotel installed an LFC®biodigester in its banquet kitchen that converts solid food waste into drain-safe, odor-free wastewater in 24 hours. The hotel saves $15,000 annually on trash removal costs. Diverting 33.7 tons (30.6 tonnes) of food waste from landfills also reduces CO2emissions by 123.5 tons (112 tonnes) per year.

Raymond Linares, Director of Engineering, researched how other Marriott and non-Marriott properties handled waste disposal, and learned about LFC biodigesters manufactured by Power Knot LLC of San Jose, CA.

How Biodigesters Compost Solid Food Waste
An LFC biodigester is a fully enclosed machine that digests food waste in a clean and odorless manner. A kitchen staffer opens the unit’s door at any time, adds food waste and closes the door. The rest is automatic.

The vessel of the machine contains porous plastic Powerchips™ media that remain in the vessel, distributing a mixture of microorganisms and Powerzyme™ enzymes that accelerate the decomposition of solid food waste. Slowly rotating mixing paddles maximize the contact between the food particles, aerobic bacteria, enzymes and air which, along with infusions of hot and cold water, accelerate the process of decomposition. The operation produces water, CO2, and heat to 108°F (42°C). The CO2created is part of the natural cycle of carbon generation from plants, which makes the process carbon neutral. Within 24 hours, the waste decomposes into environmentally safe, nutrient-rich gray water, which meets or exceeds the city’s requirements and is piped into any municipal drain line.

“I can get information online about how much food waste the machine is processing daily as well as how often the kitchen staff is adding waste, and a wealth of other useful data,” says Linares. Through a touch screen, or remotely through a mobile device, staffers can view machine usage and performance in hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly increments, as well as information on diagnostics and service schedules.

Successful Trial Run Led to Full Implementation
The hotel installed an LFC unit on a trial basis for several months to document food volume digested, reliability and the associated costs. Based on the results, the hotel installed a Power Knot model LFC-500 in the main stewarding area where dishes, tableware, glasses, pots, pans, and kitchen utensils from the hotel’s four kitchens are washed. Staffers bring food waste from the hotel’s kitchens and restaurants to the LFC biodigester to be digested.

Linares says the biodigester has run continuously since 2015 and is problem-free, requiring minimal scheduled maintenance. Measuring 75 x 47 x 64 in. (190 x 120 x 162 cm), it can digest 1100 to 2000 lb (500 to 900 kg) of solid food waste per day, which exceeds the waste volume generated by the kitchens.

For calendar year 2017, the unit digested 67,470 lb (30,600 kg) of solid food waste—a daily average of 187 lb (85 kg). “Reducing CO2emissions by 123.5 tons per year is consistent with our hotel’s business plan and commitment to sustainability,” explains Linares. While the hotel is a franchise property managed by MDM Hotel Group, it operates in conformance with Marriott corporate standards, particularly with regard to reducing carbon footprint and protecting natural resources.

When Linares researched alternatives to disposing of food waste, Marriott’s environmental commitment was paramount. “The landfill waste problem will not take care of itself,” he said, “but if more hotels, schools, factories and facilities with restaurants or cafeterias do what we did, we can make a difference together in solving this problem.”

JW Marriott Marquis Miami’s green measures have earned awards, including: The First and Second Annual Sustainable Hospitality Awards and the Environmental Quality Award from the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association, as well as a Three Palm Rating from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

For more information, visit www.powerknot.com.

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