Born in Te Waiharakeke, the land of flax-swathed waters where the Omaka and Ōpaoa rivers converge, my roots are as intertwined with Aotearoa’s landscapes as the flax is with our heritage. The pristine beauty of Aotearoa is my playground, imbuing me with a profound respect for nature’s balance.
This connection fueled my resolve to address a modern plight—water pollution. Witnessing Indonesia’s commitment to invest in wastewater technology resonated deeply with me, highlighting a path to restore nature’s equilibrium.
Matthew Jackson, Alimentary Systems
Alimentary is driven by the mission to provide clean, affordable energy for low-cost sanitation, focusing on innovative and sustainable solutions. We combine disparate waste streams — crop residues, which are abundant in carbon but deficient in nitrogen and water- with human fecal matter, which is rich in nitrogen and water. This unique combination results in an efficient gas mix ideal for fuel production.
Inspired by the efficiency of a cow’s digestive system and grounded in the principles of biomimicry, our technology addresses environmental concerns. It tackles the economic and social challenges associated with waste disposal. By emulating nature’s wisdom, we aim to create a harmonious balance between technological innovation and natural ecosystems, paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Zero Emissions and Zero Waste, aiming to heal waters like my youth’s flax swamps, prevents sludge from being discharged into Mangroves.
Our innovation at Alimentary, envisioned in Pune, India, by my co-founder Harmaan Madon, now reaches across the sea to Indonesia, aligning with their strides towards environmental stewardship. The technology we’ve honed purifies and repurposes—transforming food and sludge waste into clean energy and soil conditioner to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers for agriculture. Utilising the nitrogen and phosphorus from sludge, the heat generated by combining hotel food waste with sludge kills the pathogens that make the liquid safe to apply to land.
Our technology, a brainchild born from the depths of necessity and innovation inspired by a cow’s digestive system, biomimicry, is designed not only to prevent waste from going to landfills or being discharged into the ocean but also to provide energy. With New Zealand’s treasure astute forecast predicting a significant dip in gross emissions by 2030 and an emissions budget shortfall, according to NZ Treasury, which will cost up to $23.7 billion, the AIS the stage was the setting to start a transformative collaboration.
New Zealand’s readiness to fund emissions reduction could come from funding clean water infrastructure under the Sustainable Development Mechanism, reaping carbon credits, which resonates with our mission. These credits, a currency of environmental commitment, would offset Aotearoa’s emission liabilities under the Paris Climate Accord, propelling both nations towards a greener future.
The vision for New Zealand, as gleaned from the AIS forum, is to transcend its traditional agricultural exports and emerge as a nexus of environmental banking and technological innovation.
A pilot in Indonesia would leverage New Zealand’s clean energy knowledge, setting a new precedent for future economic models that balance prosperity with sustainability. The envisioned projects span wastewater management, energy efficiency, regenerative agriculture and biofuel production.
Creating Value from Waste: A Circular Way to Convert Organic Waste into Value.
Inspired by the wisdom shared at the AIS forum, our pilot project with NZ and Indonesian officials is poised to meld tradition with innovation. It’s a testament to the strength drawn from my birthplace—Te Waiharakeke—where the flax waters taught me resilience.
By merging food waste from hotels with sewage sludge, we’re crafting a narrative of zero waste and clean energy that honours the past while securing our future. As a son of New Zealand and a steward of the Earth, I extend a call to action for global cooperation, forging a legacy as robust as the flax and as enduring as the waterways we pledge to protect.
Image credit: Aman Madon
Written by
Matthew Jackson
Alimentary Systems
AIS Startup Blue Business Summit Delegates
