the floor sink. Like those sold by Somat, the machines run on 220-volt power and come in different sizes.

The Seaport Hotel in Boston has been using a BioX machine from BioHitech America since April 2007. It was purchased from Action Comax Environmental Inc., Newark, N.J., which sells the BioX. It can process up to 800 pounds in 24 hours.

According to Matthew Moore, director of rooms and environmental programs at the Seaport, the hotel has been processing just shy of 300 pounds of food waste a day. That number had been larger, but training in how not to waste earlier in the waste stream has helped reduce overall waste flow to the machine.

The Seaport's BioX machine sits on a scale to help staff gauge how much food waste they have inserted. A warning light system has been set up to prevent too much waste from being added.

Moore says that thanks to the machine and other recycling efforts, the hotel has gone from nine Dumpster pickups a month to just four. The bin area is much cleaner now; Moore says the industrial strength air fresheners on the wall are no longer needed. The Seaport Hotel is leasing the system over five years, while maintaining the option to purchase it. "It is an excellent addition to our recycling program," he says.

Atlanta Hotel Has Similar Success

Waste to Water Environmental, LLC's decomposition machine.

At the Emory Conference Center Hotel (ECCH) in Atlanta, a BIO-EZ system from Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Waste to Water Environmental LLC is used. Like the BioX machine, it uses microorganisms to break down the food waste in water and then disposes of the fluid into the sewage system.

Michael Klein, executive chef at the hotel, says the BIO-EZ system they use has a chopper integrated with it to help break up bones, corn cobs, shells and pits before they enter the machine. He adds that efforts are under way to develop a way to recapture the water leaving the machine for reuse within it.

The Emory Conference Center Hotel's machine was installed just two months ago and has the capacity to handle 1,500 pounds in 24 hours. It is currently handling about 400 to 600 pounds of food waste daily. The hotel is leasing its machine.

"Our composting Dumpster used to have to be pulled three times a month, but that is now down to just once a month," Klein says, adding that other recycling efforts have also helped.

In addition to the companies mentioned above, Green Key Environmental Solutions, Hollywood, Fla., produces machines similar to those made by BioHitech America and Waste to Water Environmental.

Green Key's GK 1000-5000 Bio Machines biologically decompose food waste through a process that results in all solid waste being converted to liquid. A computer-controlled device systematically adds water to promote decomposition which results in complete liquefaction, which can be disposed of down any drain system, whether municipal or septic.

Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. Green Lodging News is based in Middleburg Heights, Ohio.