Grantee Research Project Results

Novel Method for Produce Preservation and Sterilization in Modern Refrigerators

EPA Contract Number: 68HERC25C0005
Title: Novel Method for Produce Preservation and Sterilization in Modern Refrigerators
Investigators: Roesner, Bruce
Small Business: GreenLifeTech Corporation
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: October 18, 2024 through October 17, 2026
Project Amount: $400,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (2025) Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Waste

Description:

Food waste is a major worldwide problem, with approximately 300M pounds of food discarded into landfills each day. The average American family loses around $1500 per year due to wasted food. Fruits and vegetables make up around 39% of the total food waste. The average American family loses $585 (39% of $1500) in fresh produce per year, which is enough to buy another month’s worth of groceries. Reducing food waste will not only pose a significant cost savings for the consumer, but reduce the amount of non-renewable resources expended to produce food that is never eaten. Approximately 6% - 8% of surface methane can be contributed to food waste that is discarded into landfills. Reducing food waste will lessen the amount of harmful greenhouse gasses that are released into the air from landfills due to food waste. Food waste is the leading cause of landfilled and combusted municipal solid waste in the United States. Addressing this problem is essential to preserving our environment and ensuring the ability to feed our growing population. GreenLifeTechTM utilizes a patented technology to control oxygen levels (under 2%) which will create an inert environment for the storage of perishable items, such as produce. Ozone will then be introduced at small and environmentally safe concentration to sterilize the produce, reducing the risk of pathogen growth and increasing food safety for the consumer. The overall objective of Phase I was to test and demonstrate the feasibility of integrating our technology into the crisper drawers found in OEM home refrigeration units. To do this, testing on both techniques was carried out at GreenLifeTech’s facility, the Purdue University Food Entrepreneurship and Manufacturing Institute (FEMI) and a potential OEM partner. Results from Phase I validated the need for continued study and refinement. Phase II will allow for continued testing at Purdue University and design work with various refrigeration OEMs, leading to market integration. The market to be served by implementing GLT’s technology in consumer refrigerators is quite large. The number of refrigerators sold annually is more than 215 million, representing sales of more than $125 billion. There have been few major enhancements in refrigeration technology over the past 20 years. This lack of change within the refrigeration market has not only added to the food waste issue in the United States, but also means that there is ample opportunity development and new product implementation within this market sector.

SBIR Phase I:

Novel Method for Produce Preservation and Sterilization in Modern Refrigerators  | Final Report