Vanguard Renewables has acquired St Paul-based E-Z Recycling, adding industrial depackaging capacity to its anaerobic digestion network as it scales up renewable natural gas production across the Midwest.
The deal brings a significant processing operation into Vanguard's portfolio.
E-Z Recycling's St Paul facility currently handles up to 125 tonnes of food and beverage waste per day across three processing lines, with recent upgrades set to push that figure beyond 300 tonnes daily.
The site offers secure destruction, material recovery, and chain-of-custody documentation — capabilities that complement Vanguard's existing AD infrastructure in the Minneapolis–St Paul region.
Vanguard already operates one anaerobic digestion facility in the Twin Cities area and recently announced a second in Meeker County, developed in partnership with CenterPoint Energy, where feedstock is converted into RNG for injection into local gas networks.
The acquisition is part of a broader push to build an integrated organics recycling and energy recovery offer for food and beverage manufacturers in the region. Minnesota's strong food processing sector and tightening landfill diversion regulations make it an attractive market for AD operators looking to secure reliable feedstock supply.
Mike O'Laughlin, chief executive of Vanguard Renewables, said the deal would expand the solutions available to customers whilst setting "a new standard for sustainability and compliance in the region."
E-Z Recycling owner Andy Rausch, who has run the business for more than 40 years, will remain in place as principal operations manager following the handover.
Vanguard Renewables acquires Minnesota depackager to strengthen Midwest RNG network
