The circle of it: Food upcycling company that utilizes byproducts from other food manufacturing processes and transforms them into high quality ingredients, thereby creating new revenue streams and reducing waste.
Renewal mill
Summary
Renewal Mill upcycles fiber and protein produced during large-scale food manufacturing and transforms them into raw material for other food products. The company uses its proprietary technology to upcycle the by-product of soy milk manufacturing (“okara”) into a high-protein, high-fiber, gluten-free flour that is then used to create baked goods. The company also sells baking mixes made from okara and other rescued upcycled foods.
Story
When co-founder Claire Schlemme ran an organic juice company in Boston, she was disappointed by all the nutritious pulp going to waste. Through this experience and other similar experiences with food, Schlemme realized the deep interconnection between food and the environment. She, along with her co-founder Caroline Cotto, decided to create a company that deals with upcycling ingredients rescued with other large scale manufacturing processed, and Renewal Mill was formed.
Pic Credit: Edible East Bay (right) and Renewal Mill (top)
“After I was diagnosed with cancer in my early 20s, I came to realize the connection between how we treat the planet and how we make and consume food. I also realized that I wanted to spend my days doing the things that I was passionate about… I became really interested in agriculture as a potential vector for the impact which has ultimately led to Renewal Mill. “
Claire Schlemme in an interview
Founder(s)
Claire Schlemme, Caroline Cotto
Headquarters
Oakland, California
In business since
2016
Business type
for profit
Impact
Every year, if not upcycled, at least 15,000 lbs of okara would have ended up in landfill if not for this application (Source)
Technology
Identifying waste in supply chain; creating new supply chain to rescue food that would otherwise go to landfill, creating a market for new product
Website https://www.renewalmill.com/
The Circular People 
Leave a comment