Organic Fertilizer - Converted Organics, Inc.

These pages are devoted to answering the most commonly asked questions about our technology.

If you don't find an answer for a question that you have we ask that you use this form, and one of our representatives will respond to you.  

Who is Converted Organics?

Converted Organics Inc. is a publicly held company that builds facilities to manufacture organic ”biostimulants.” Biostimulants are used in place of chemical fertilizers to grow healthy crops.

How does Converted Organics make biostimulants?

Converted Organics uses a technology known as Enhanced Autogenous Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion, or EATAD, to quickly process organic wastes into high value biostimulants. We license this technology from International Bio Recovery Corporation, the Canadian company that developed and patented EATAD. A “non-enhanced” version of the technology has been employed for decades to treat wastewater. Since 1994 the EATAD process has been utilized to process food wastes at an IBR facility in North Vancouver, BC.

What exactly are the organic wastes that will be processed?

A Converted Organics facility can process solid and liquid organic wastes from a variety of sources, including produce handlers, food processors, supermarkets, farmers’ markets, restaurants, hospitals, and airlines.

How does the EATAD process work?

The EATAD process includes five steps. First, solid and liquid wastes are delivered to a fully enclosed facility. Second, the wastes are blended and screened to remove non-organic materials such as metal and glass. Third, naturally occurring bacteria “digest” the wastes large tanks. The introduction of heat and extra oxygen greatly accelerate the process compared to traditional composting. Fourth, the digested wastes are dried (solids) or concentrated (liquids). The fifth and final step is packaging of the solid and liquid products for wholesale and retail distribution. 

Is the Converted Organics process noisy?

No. Inside a Converted Organics facility the noise level is well below OSHA thresholds established for worker safety. At the facility property line operations will not be audible above normal background noise.

If you don’t add chemicals, how does the process work?

The processing of organic wastes in our digestion tanks relies on microbes that occur naturally. The temperature and oxygen levels maintained in the tanks are ideal conditions for microbe propagation and digestion activity.

Does a Converted Organics facility emit large amounts of methane or other gases?

No. One of the benefits of the aerobic digestion process is that unlike a landfill or composting facility it does not produce methane. 

Does a Converted Organics facility ever shut down?

Our facilities are designed to operate around the clock, 365 days a year. Organic wastes are always available and the microbes that do all the work never sleep! The facilities are staffed at all times by highly trained personnel who ensure that operations continue without interruption or disruption.

Are there benefits to having a Converted Organics facility in our community?

Yes. At the heart of our business is a mission to help address global environmental challenges using localized solutions that meet the needs of host communities. We do this in part by building facilities that generate tax revenue for the host community and provide 15 to 20 full-time jobs. 

How does Converted Organics benefit the global environment?

Everything we do is designed to provide some environmental benefit. By serving as a major processor of food wastes, we eliminate the need for these wastes to be diverted to less environmentally preferable landfills or incinerators. Our process also eliminates the greenhouse gases and other emissions that would be produced if the wastes were landfilled or incinerated. Because we produce an organic fertilizer we help to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers that gradually reduce the health of agricultural soils and pollute our water supplies.