You Won't Believe How This Atlanta Startup Transforms Food Waste into 400x Better Soil!

Can we ever truly eliminate food waste? It's a pressing question as food waste becomes a significant and escalating issue in the United States. Reports indicate that upwards of 38% of all food produced in America goes unsold or uneaten, resulting in billions of meals being discarded into landfills each year. As awareness of this crisis grows, innovative solutions are emerging to tackle the problem head-on.

One such solution comes from Biotechnica, an Atlanta-based startup that believes it has developed a scalable approach to transforming food waste into valuable resources. Their product, TerraFormix, is an all-natural fertilizer system designed to convert food waste efficiently. Leveraging a proprietary reactor process, Biotechnica claims that TerraFormix is 400 times more effective than traditional composting methods, turning organic scraps into a high-grade chemical fertilizer analogue that can hold its own in commercial agricultural settings.

A Sustainable Solution

The food waste that Biotechnica processes originates from various suppliers, including school districts, grocery chains, restaurant groups, and food manufacturers eager to minimize their organic waste. The buyers of TerraFormix range from landscapers to farmers, nurseries, botanical gardens, and florists, all of whom are seeking more cost-efficient and high-quality alternatives to synthetic fertilizers.

The process begins with food waste being collected from partners and meticulously de-packaged to eliminate contaminants. It is then processed and mixed to achieve the correct carbon-nitrogen ratio. The food waste is subsequently sent to a controlled environment where insects break it down within hours, dramatically accelerating the composting process.

According to founder Benjamin Youngstrom, Biotechnica is in the process of establishing a warehouse in Kennesaw, Georgia. This facility is intended to serve as a central hub for waste aggregation, aiming for a single reactor that can process 11,000 tons of waste annually. Plans are already underway for two additional units to be operational by the end of 2026.

While TerraFormix is undoubtedly a sustainability initiative that significantly reduces carbon footprints, Youngstrom emphasizes that it is also a calculated business strategy. He explained, “We occupy a unique position where we can hit the triple bottom line for farmers in a tangible and demonstrable manner. We combine fertilizers and soil conditioners into a single product, making their soil healthier with every use and reducing the need for things like cover crops and compost. This significantly decreases their expenses,” adding that it also enhances land productivity.

Early partnerships have already been established, including collaborations with Georgia Tech and the Sip of Paradise Garden in Atlanta, with more Georgia-based school departments and organizations in the pipeline.

A Journey from Aviation to Agriculture

Youngstrom, a graduate of Georgia Southern University, previously ventured into the aviation safety sector with his startup Fyve By. However, he found himself drawn to the agricultural technology (AgTech) and sustainability sectors, which he believes are “deeply misunderstood” today. He pointed out that many farmers face financial constraints that prevent them from adopting environmentally-friendly practices, even if they wish to do so. “Most farmers can’t afford to act on the environment; many care, but they’re busy trying to feed their own families,” he noted. “Green solutions and robotics can be frustrating because they often shift the financial burden onto the farmers.”

Youngstrom has assembled a team comprised of individuals with a wealth of experience, including backgrounds in maintaining nuclear submarines and managing cold-chain logistics for Southeastern school districts. Although many team members are currently working part-time, their diverse skill sets contribute to Biotechnica’s operational effectiveness.

Looking ahead, Youngstrom aims to expand Biotechnica’s reach by connecting with more suppliers. “Right now, it’s all about face-to-face meetings and having the important conversations with growers in Georgia,” he explained. “Our primary outreach is focused on finding farmers with publicly available information or reaching out to extension programs across the United States.”

As Biotechnica continues to grow, it embodies a significant shift in how we approach food waste in America. By turning a pressing environmental issue into a sustainable business model, the startup is not only contributing to a healthier planet but also supporting the agricultural sector in practical and economically viable ways.