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San Antonio is making history—again. This time, it’s not about barbecue, rodeo, or record-breaking heat. It’s about trash. Over the past few years, the city’s waste has skyrocketed to more than 670,000 tons—the most in 20 years. But a groundbreaking facility is stepping in to flip the script on food waste.
Enter Synthica Energy, a company turning yesterday’s leftovers into renewable natural gas (RNG). Instead of dumping food waste into landfills or washing it down the drain, Synthica’s cutting-edge technology transforms it into clean energy, helping power homes, businesses, and even the same food industry that created the waste in the first place.
How It Works
The facility, set to launch in 2026 on San Antonio’s East Side, will process 250,000 tons of food waste annually. Using a high-tech process called anaerobic digestion, Synthica breaks down organic materials—like food scraps and manufacturing byproducts—without oxygen. The result? A gas that’s injected into pipelines and used just like traditional natural gas.
Why San Antonio?
Location, location, location. San Antonio’s East Side is home to several food and beverage manufacturers, making it the perfect hub for sustainable waste disposal. Instead of hauling food waste long distances, companies can now send their byproducts just a short way down the road—to be converted into energy rather than trash.
More Than Just Energy—A Boost for the Local Economy
Beyond its environmental impact, Synthica’s facility brings major economic benefits:
30+ construction jobs
$50 million in investment
20+ permanent, high-paying positions
And that’s just the beginning. CEO Sam Schutte believes this project will attract even more eco-conscious manufacturers, reinforcing San Antonio as a leader in sustainable business practices.
“This serves as a core piece of infrastructure—just like electricity or water—that businesses increasingly demand,” says Schutte.
A Future Fueled by Waste
San Antonio is only the second city in the nation to welcome a Synthica facility, but with the rising demand for zero-landfill policies, it won’t be the last.
The takeaway? What used to be trash is now a valuable resource. San Antonio isn’t just managing waste—it’s redefining it.
Trash to energy. Food waste to fuel. The future is here.
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