Welcome to the Green Era
Recycling food waste into clean energy, clean soil, and local jobs on Chicago’s South Side.
Recycle your organization’s bulk food and beverage waste now!
What is Green Era?
Green Era transforms food waste into renewable energy and healthy soil to support sustainable, community-rooted food systems on Chicago’s South Side. Each year, our campus processes over 100 million pounds of food waste, converting it into renewable natural gas that helps power thousands of homes, while producing compost that supports local food production.
Built on a reclaimed 9-acre brownfield, the Green Era Campus is a working renewable energy facility and a community asset. We generate clean energy, create jobs, restore land, and reinvest in neighborhood-based food systems to build long-term environmental and economic resilience.
Donate to Phase 2 of our campaign to construct Green Era’s urban farm, education center, produce market, and more.
In The News
“Machine in Chicago mimics cow's stomach to divert thousands of tons of food waste from landfills”
ABC7 News, August 13, 2024
Full article can be found HERE.
Transform Local, Inspire Global
Green Era’s mission is resonating around the world: in November 2021, the University of Illinois Chicago, Green Era Sustainability, and Urban Growers Collective presented at COP26, the United Nations 2021 Climate Change Conference, and won the inaugural Climate Challenge Cup in the Climate Change Adaptation category. We are honored to receive recognition of our community-led innovation and impact. The Green Era Campus is a global blueprint for equitable, sustainable urban development—all starting on the South Side of Chicago.