By Hezy Laing

An IDF base has partnered with the renewable energy company HomeBiogas to transform organic refuse into usable energy.

At the Glilot base in central Israel, a newly implemented system processes food scraps and other biodegradable materials, producing biogas that is utilized to heat water directly on site.

According to HomeBiogas, the system can handle up to 500 kilograms of organic waste daily.

The company notes that the IDF currently allocates over $20 million annually for waste management, with the majority ending up in landfills.

This initiative is part of a broader collaboration involving the IDF, the Ministries of Defense and Environmental Protection, and the Israel Innovation Authority, aimed at integrating sustainable technologies throughout the nation’s military infrastructure.

“This is the first step toward embedding circular economy principles within the IDF,” said Eitan Aram, who leads the IDF’s Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Division.

“We intend to scale this initiative and launch additional similar projects soon.”

Oshik Efrati, co-founder and CEO of HomeBiogas, added, “This effort aligns with our mission to deliver smart, affordable renewable energy solutions while cutting down on pollution and greenhouse gas emissions tied to the transport and disposal of organic waste.”

HomeBiogas, established in 2007, operates out of Beit Yanai, located in central Israel.