NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ - Minneapolis, MN, United States, 2013/12/11 - PLACE, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit, is developing a first-of-its-kind project in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, to show the world what we can do with our waste - WelcomeToPlace.com.

PLACE's project will divert organic waste from landfills, and process it into clean energy to power homes, businesses, and transit in a new community in St. Louis Park, MN. The quality fertilizer that results will be used to grow food on urban farms.

In conjunction with Hennepin County and the City of St. Louis Park, we will take a derelict building -- the former McGarvey Coffee roastery at the intersection of Highway 100 and Highway 7 -- and turn it into a $19M facility that processes organic solid waste into clean, renewable energy. With our technology partners, we’ve developed a system that uses anaerobic digestion to very efficiently convert this waste into biogas, which will then be used to generate electricity.

But that’s only Phase I.

Once the energy facility is up and running, PLACE will develop a cutting edge community to surround it, all of which will be powered by waste. The community will include affordable housing, makers’ space for artists and craftspeople, commercial space for local businesses, and more.

This ambitious project will show the world that our communities can be developed to be empowering, and truly sustainable. Currently, organic solid waste in Hennepin County is trucked far outside the city to be composted, costing money and fuel, and releasing greenhouse gases. With this project, we’ll divert up to 30,000 tons of waste from landfills annually, powering homes and businesses in a closed loop: waste creates energy, which allows community to flourish, which generates more waste, and so on.

We’re incredibly close to making this vision a reality.

We need to raise $2 million by January 1st, 2014 to make it happen, and with your help, we can. To learn more about this project and to donate, follow the link to our Indiegogo page. Even small donations help because grassroots efforts are important to us, demonstrating widespread support.

We need to spread the word, and get people involved. This project, once built, will be a catalyst for hundreds of similar projects to take place across the world. Think of the impact on the planet when we can divert millions of tons of solid waste from our landfills and lessen our dependence on fossil fuels -- all while creating vibrant, socially just communities.

How we handle our garbage could truly change the world. Don't let good waste go to waste. #SaveTheWaste!

For more information about PLACE (Guidestar Exchange Silver Member):
PLACE - Projects Linking Art, Community & Environment
100 Portland Ave S, Suite 100
Minneapolis, MN 55401

SaveTheWaste indiegogo Project

Agency / Source: PLACE

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