Cayuga Facility
The Cayuga Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Plant is a state-of-the-art food waste anaerobic digestion facility in Auburn, New York. The anaerobic digester recycles up to 99,000 tons of organic waste every year, producing renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertilizer—all while diverting waste from landfills.
The Cayuga Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Plant is an example of how Generate Upcycle has transformed an inoperative anaerobic digester into an advanced organic waste recycling facility that delivers environmental, economic, and community benefits. Since acquiring the site in 2016, Generate Upcycle has redeveloped the digester into an advanced food waste recycling and materials recovery facility. The Cayuga Digester uses a biological process to convert municipal, commercial, and industrial organic waste into approximately 203,000 GJ of renewable natural gas, and nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer that is used on more than 1,000 acres of nearby farmland. At the Cayuga facility, packaged foods and beverages are depackaged through a system separating the inorganic packaging residuals from the organic contents that are then anaerobically digested. Our innovative technology autonomously sorts and bales the packaging residuals for recycling.
By processing organic waste into valuable products, Cayuga is a leader in building a sustainable circular economy in the Auburn region.
2025 Organics Management Facility of the Year!
National Waste & Recycling Association has awarded our Cayuga Anaerobic Digester & Biogas Plant the 2025 Organics Management Facility of the Year! In 2025, we celebrated the completion of three years of construction and an approximately $30 million investment to revive and upgrade the plant’s operations, which have more than doubled its capacity to process waste and generate renewable energy.
Services
Our Cayuga anaerobic digestion facility offers organic waste recycling, collection services, depackaging, and destruction management.
Waste Accepted
Cayuga recycles organic waste from every stage of the supply chain.
Liquid Waste
- Wastewaters and sludges
- Fats, oils, and greases
- Concentrates and flavorings
- Ingredients
- Byproducts
Solid Waste
- Dewatered cakes
- Source separated organics
- Bulk ingredients
- Meats and residuals
- Vegetables and fruits
Support Services
Cayuga offers the following agricultural and food waste collection services.
- Logistics and transportation management
- Bulk container rental and leasing
- Landfill diversion
- Drop tankers and trailers
- Pallet management
- Product recall management
- Remote and on-site consulting
- Waste audits
Secure Depackaging and Destruction
The Cayuga Digester has a depackaging and certified destruction center for contaminated and packaged food and beverage waste. Our innovative technology sorts and bales packaging residuals into single streams to be recycled while also destroying all branding.
Cayuga offers the following secure destruction services.
- CCTV/photo capture
- Certificates of destruction
- Locked and secure premises
Deliveries
Cayuga accepts deliveries from a wide variety of trucks and trailers, including:
- Front- and rear-loading solid waste trucks
- Belt and walking floor trailers
- Dry van and reefer trailers
- Liquid truck trailers
- Open-top tipping-end dump trailers
Amenities
Cayuga offers the following amenities:
- Heated indoor unloading with 40-foot clearance for truck tipping
- Dock doors for dry-van deliveries
- CAM-lock hose connection & adaptors
- Gravity flow or pump unloading
- Fast, convenient offloading
- Truck scale
- Close highway access
Impact
The Cayuga facility is one of the most advanced food waste recycling and materials recovery facilities in North America. Cayuga can process 99,000 tons of food and agricultural waste per year, leading to the avoidance of more than 57,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually while advancing progress towards New York State’s climate and waste diversion goals.
Community Engagement
We’re proud to support a sustainable circular economy in the Auburn, New York, community. If you have questions or concerns about this facility, please reach out using the links below.
Partner with Our Cayuga Facility
Interested in recycling organic waste or sourcing renewable energy from this facility in Auburn, New York?
Facility Location
Cayuga Anaerobic Digester and Biogas Facility
7389 County House Road
Auburn, NY 13021
Contact Us
Have general questions or concerns? Fill out the form and a facility representative with reply.
Site:
Bob Keiper
(570) 494-8288
Feedstock:
Jon Augarten
(315) 975-7088