From Waste to Resource: 7 Surprising Facts About the Hidden Value of Organic Waste

Often, businesses and citizens perceive waste as a problem, a cost, and a logistical inconvenience. But if we change our perspective and view trash as raw material, the landscape changes radically.

At Genloop, we are a revolution that transforms organic waste into high-value premium materials. To understand the enormous potential we are currently wasting, we share 7 surprising facts about what we throw away:

1. 40% of the Trash Bag is Brown Gold

The organic fraction (food scraps, vegetable matter, etc.) represents approximately 40% of the total weight of municipal waste. This massive amount, which often ends up in landfills, is not “trash” but a source of nutrients and, fundamentally, of new materials.

2. One Ton of Organic Waste Generates up to 120,000 m³ of Methane

When organic waste rots in an airtight landfill (anaerobic process), it generates methane (CH4). This greenhouse gas is 25 times more potent than CO2 at trapping heat. Circular management and its transformation into biopolymers directly mitigate this powerful impact.

3. 161 Billion Dollars in Wasted Food

Globally, the enormous amount of food wasted each year is not only an ethical problem but a brutal economic loss. Transforming these organic residues avoids losing the resources (water, energy, land) invested in the original production.

4. Your Coffee Grounds Can Become Designer Furniture

Genloop has already demonstrated this with the Biosity project (working with partners like Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings): a residue as common as coffee grounds has industrial value. Through our R&D&i, it is transformed into a high-quality material, perfect for furniture or components. It is a resource.

5. Waste Reduction: A Savings Strategy

For companies in the HORECA sector or large industries, inefficient waste management is a double cost: they pay for collection and eliminate potential raw material. Adopting a 100% closed-loop and traceable cycle converts this operational cost into a strategic asset that reduces costs and builds reputation.

6. The Solution to Conventional Plastics is Not Just Recycling

The problem with plastics is not solved merely by recycling traditional plastic, but by replacing it. Innovative materials created from transformed organic waste offer durable alternatives, with premium performance and a drastically lower carbon footprint.

7. Valorization is the Future: 1% to 50%

Currently, in Spain, less than 1% of municipal organic waste is valorized (transformed into compost, biogas, or new materials). European directives aim for recovery and valorization rates to increase drastically. Companies investing now in circular models like Genloop are anticipating regulations and establishing their market leadership.

At Genloop, we believe the world cannot afford any more waste. With our technology and our 100% Real Traceability system, we guarantee that organic waste finds its purpose: becoming premium quality circular materials.

Is your company ready to transform its waste into a revolution?