Techno-economic optimization of food waste diversion to treatment facilities to determine cost effectiveness of policy incentives

New York state recently passed a food waste (FW) disposal ban, which will prohibit landfilling of FW produced by commercial entities generating more than 2 tons/week the year 2022. This redirect 370,000 tons/year from landfills. In this work, we investigate three questions about landfill ban: 1) How can be diverted to treatment facilities at lowest system cost? 2) To what degree an expanded anaerobic digestion portfolio help with state’s Renewable Portfolio Standards? 3) What policies transition waste-to-energy technologies? We develop mixed-integer linear programming model that identifies cost solutions finding optimal locations, capacities, intake, and energy generation around state. Results suggest mix composting (61%) FW-only (39%) is cheapest response ban without complementary but adding policy support (capital or production subsidies) increase electricity 10x government between $55 $315 per ton CO2 abated.