AmpliSource

The maxim “reduce, reuse, recycle” rings true in the current world scenario as global leaders and local communities struggle to fix and manage the ‘throwaway culture.’ A big portion of the global municipal solid waste comprises organic waste generated from food manufacturing firms, including food manufacturing residuals and food by-products. With environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance becoming more pronounced in recent years, several food manufacturers are puzzled about the proper management and disposal of these waste materials. Even though many opt for waste disposal in landfills, it is one of the most undesirable options, not to mention the high costs associated with the containerization, packaging and transportation of waste. Apart from that, there is a growing concern around disposing of waste without harming the surrounding environment while complying with all federal and local regulatory norms.

Providing a sustainable option to make the 3Rs a reality is AmpliSource, a one-stop-shop solution provider for managing, upcycling, and safely disposing of a broad array of waste streams generated by food manufacturing companies. The company offers a single-point solution for both traditional recyclables and the more challenging organic waste that includes finding upcycling opportunities for the bulk and packaged by-products. “We repurpose various forms of food by-product waste streams, extracting the nutritional value from them to develop high-energy nutritional supplements and animal feed ingredients for the agricultural community,” states Joshua Schmidt, the CEO at AmpliSource.

The company is a zero waste to landfill facility governed by the FSMA, USDA, and FDA regulations and creates an opportunity to capitalize on its sustainability initiatives by offering an extended life for food by-products.

AmpliSource not only propagates the environmental sustainability aspect but also proves to be economically beneficial for both the manufacturers and the agricultural community. It delivers a customizable equipment solution that is reliable, responsive, and fast to foster business continuity.

Before engaging with a client, AmpliSource conducts a comprehensive waste audit to get a complete understanding of the by-products generated from the manufacturer’s site, the containerization, and the disposal process followed by them. It also reviews the total waste production, the material content, the moisture levels, and other specific challenges. Following this, AmpliSource designs a customized solution for clients to handle their waste materials from the point of generation till the end of the material life. The company’s private fleet plays a vital role in managing the waste streams in accordance with the regulatory compliance requirements of governing bodies such as EPA and RCRA, among others. It can skillfully handle the transportation of all kinds of waste, whether it be a tanker truck carrying liquid waste, or a dry van trailer, or even a compactor box. AmpliSource further ensures that it has the equipment and a team of licensed professionals who work with the manufacturers to manage all the by-products in a compliant and safe manner.

Once the materials reach AmpliSource’s secure facility, they are separated and segmented according to their consistency and nutritional content. These waste products can be anything from sugar, starches, fats, or oils, among many others. They are then de-packaged using its mechanical separation technology to attain the reusable components. The company recycles cardboard, paper, or plastic using the traditional processes of bailing and sorting. At the same time, the food ingredients get blended in a precise ratio to produce the desired end-product. These upcycled items are then milled together to create a high-energy blend animal feed called AmpliSource Edge and AmpliSource Max for monogastric and ruminant animals. These outbound products are distributed to the agricultural community via its private fleet and third-party distribution partners across the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions in the U.S.

In many ways, AmpliSource is fostering circular economics throughout the entire food supply chain via a cyclical food recovery hierarchy to ultimately propagate sustainability. For instance, the company often partners with confectionary manufacturers whose organic by-products, such as chocolates, are used to manufacture high-energy animal feed. This endproduct is then supplied to farms with cows that produce milk for the same confectioners. In addition, the company engages all the stakeholders in the manufacturing process to drive that circularity in the manufacturing process. “This is one of the ways we really foster connectivity between manufacturers and agricultural communities to ensure their products continue to retain value throughout their lifecycle,” adds Schmidt.

AmpliSource is positioned uniquely in the waste management market and aims to grow organically on a national level and expand into regions beyond Pennsylvania and Illinois. The company is committed to sustainability differentially, which is evident in its zero waste to landfill approach but also in various engagements with sustainable industry groups across the agricultural and manufacturing communities. “We believe ESG is a lot more than just an environmental component and comprises of a triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. This the niche that we have carved out for ourselves to foster better environments for the communities we serve,” concludes Schmidt.