Not long ago, the idea of harvesting almond shells and sewage sludge to lock away climate-harming emissions might have sounded like something out of a science fiction movie. Today, it’s not only possible — it’s happening. A new wave of startups is turning agricultural waste and forest residues into permanent carbon dioxide removal using a process known as biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS). These BiCRS startups sell carbon credits to companies seeking an efficient and verifiable tool for achieving climate targets. Reducing emissions alone won’t be enough to reach net-zero and climate-related goals, so carbon dioxide removal is becoming an important long-term method for achieving them. The concept behind BiCRS is simple: As plants and trees grow, they soak up planet-warming carbon and store it in their stems, leaves, roots and wood; this carbon-rich organic material is known as biomass. Usually, biomass carbon gets released back into the atmosphere when plants and trees decompose or are burned. But BiCRS interrupts that cycle, capturing and permanently storing the carbon underground, preventing carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere. In recent years, new research and BiCRS companies have proliferated, finding novel ways to supplement the increasing challenges the planet faces to reduce emissions. Globally, BiCRS is gaining momentum; in Europe, recent legislation established a framework for carbon removal certification and an EU-wide registry (to be implemented in 2028), while other countries (like Japan and Canada) are investigating how to scale these technologies. In the U.S., there are a growing number of companies (one February 2025 report counts 40, the highest of any country) dedicated to turning biomass wastes and residues into carbon removal and storage. Among them are Corigin, Charm Industrial, Graphyte and Vaulted Deep. These innovative companies, which we profile below, illustrate different approaches to using waste or residue biomass and storing it underground to fight back against a warming planet.
Companies Are Finding New Ways to Use Waste and Fight Climate Change (Angela Isabella Scafidi and Audrey Denvir – World Resources Institute)
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