Brewing Up Sustainability: How Beer Yeast Is Cleaning Our Waterways
🍺 Brewing Up Sustainability: How Beer Yeast Is Cleaning Our Waterways🍺
Local breweries in Chicagoland are turning beer waste into a water-cleaning solution, thanks to an innovative partnership with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). A leading brewery, known for using Lake Michigan water in its beer, is repurposing spent yeast to help treat wastewater.
Previously discarded down the drain, spent yeast—rich in carbon—is now collected and used to reduce excess phosphorus in treated water. High phosphorus levels can fuel harmful algal blooms, threatening aquatic ecosystems. MWRD's Stickney facility in Cicero now processes truckloads of yeast, turning waste into a resource.
This initiative is part of MWRD's shift from wastewater treatment to resource recovery. Even extracted phosphorus is repurposed into fertilizer. Beyond yeast, MWRD may also accept grains, hops, and materials from food-processing facilities. The brewery’s participation not only supports sustainability but also cuts sewer fees, encouraging others in the industry to join.
As recent events have shown, access to clean water isn’t guaranteed—responsible resource use is key. Since 2017, the resource recovery program has expanded, proving that sustainability and industry innovation can go hand in hand.
Source:
https://mwrd.org/how-byproduct-local-breweries-helping...
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