
New Earth Regeneration Initiative
To transform waste into solutions and communities into agents of regeneration
SCIENCE SUMMIT 2025
Converting Landfill Waste into Nutrient Rich Soil with Enhanced Water Retention Capacity: A Scalable Regenerative Pathway for Climate and Land Restoration
Project Concept
NERI has as its core mission to develop sustainable innovative solutions to our growing environmental challenges.
We transform organic waste into a living resource that restores soil structure, boosts fertility, enhances water retention, and contributes to carbon capture. By using controlled and accelerated biological processes—such as microbial succession and soil organism activity—we achieve in a few months what would normally take nature decades.
NERI is committed engages students, educators, and communities in hands-on learning experiences centered around regeneration, environmental science, and sustainability. It offers a tangible response to climate change, turning the problem of waste into a regenerative solution.
According to the United Nations
We Are Wasting the Earth’s Potential
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Over 1 billion tons of food were wasted globally in 2022
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Organic waste is the #1 material in U.S. landfills
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Over a 20-year period, methane is about 80 to 87 times more powerful at trapping heat than CO2
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Soils are being degraded faster than nature can restore them

Our Process
1. Organic Waste Diversion
Collect organic waste from schools, restaurants, and businesses to prevent it from reaching landfills, reducing methane emissions.
2. Biological Inoculation
Apply a controlled mix of beneficial microorganisms and biological agents to accelerate decomposition and create a living soil ecosystem.
3. Soil Regeneration
Transform the processed organic matter into nutrient-rich soil that improves fertility, water retention, and carbon sequestration capacity.
4. Application & Land Restoration
Use regenerated soil to restore degraded lands, support biodiversity, and establish resilient green spaces in drought- and heat-impacted regions.
5. Education & Workforce Development
Engage students, workers, and communities in hands-on training to build skills in regenerative practices and create green job pathways.




Real Impact
“At Arminta Street Elementary, an LAUSD school, we process over 5,000 pounds of organic waste each year. In just two years, this has prevented the release of 33 metric tons of CO₂e.”

Current projects

LAUSD Arminta Street Elementary
North Hollywood, CA

LAUSD Arminta Street Elementary
North Hollywood, CA
The project has achieved a Global Warming Potential savings of 33 metric tons of CO₂e annually, demonstrating the the significant climate impact of local waste-to-soil solutions.
In recognition of its innovation and community impact, the project has received several prestigious awards, including:
Pando Days 2024 Award
Jeff Marine Bull Ring Entrepreneurship Social Impact Award (2025)
Glendale Environmental Stewardship Award (2024)
This pilot continues to serve as a living model of how schools can lead in climate action, education, and community resilience.

From Waste to Green: Transforming Communities Through Organic Waste
Holtville, CA
What is this innovative Organic Waste Process?
At the heart of this project is a biologically active aerobic system that rapidly processes food scraps and agricultural waste into nutrient-rich soil amendments. This method pioneered by environmental innovators at New Earth Regeneration Initiative uses particular microorganisms to accelerate decomposition in a controlled environment, processing in a few weeks what traditional composting systems require months to achieve.
A Model for Scalable Impact This initiative builds on a proven, award-winning pilot implemented by NERI at Arminta Street Elementary School in Los Angeles County. In just 90 square feet, that pilot processed over 10,000 pounds of organic waste, offsetting 33 metric tons of CO2eq.

SGV Community food pantry project
West Covina, CA

SGV Community food pantry project
West Covina, CA
This effort delivers an estimated Global Warming Potential savings of 43 metric tons of CO₂e annually, showcasing the measurable climate benefits of localized, community-driven solutions.
In addition to reducing emissions and landfill dependency, the project provides educational opportunities for staff, volunteers, and community members to learn about regenerative practices and climate resilience. By turning waste into a living resource, the pantry strengthens its dual mission of addressing food insecurity while also contributing to environmental sustainability.

Recognitions
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2025 Featured presentation at United Nations Science Summit, New York, NY.
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2025 Jeff Marine Bull Ring entrepreneurship - Social Impact Award
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2024 Pando Days First prize
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2024 Glendale Environmental Stewardship
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2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award

Carlos M. Marin, MA Founder
Board Member

Carlos M. Marin, MA Founder
Board Member

Elisa K. Jimenez, PhD, CSC, Psychoanalyst
Board Member

Elisa K. Jimenez, PhD, CSC, Psychoanalyst
Board Member

Dr. Thirusivapragasam (Siva) Subramaniam, MD
Board Member

Dr. Thirusivapragasam (Siva) Subramaniam, MD
Board Member

Luis Lopez, MBA
Board Member

Luis Lopez, MBA
Board Member

Tiffany Derrick, MA
Advisory Board Member

Tiffany Derrick, MA
Advisory Board Member

Diego Morett, MS
Advisory Board Member

Diego Morett, MS
Advisory Board Member

Camron Nichols
GIS and data research intern

Camron Nichols
GIS and data research intern
What’ s Next?
Scaling Soil Regeneration
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Expanding the model to other schools, gardens, and urban areas
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Publishing open-source data and regeneration guides
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Collaborating with municipalities, nonprofits, and educators
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Creating a blueprint for soil recovery through local action

Conclusion
The New Earth Regeneration Initiative proves that local actions can drive global impact.
By turning organic waste into a living solution, we are regenerating soils, empowering communities, and building a more resilient future—starting from the ground up.
This is more than a project. It’s a movement.
A movement where science, education, and sustainability come together to restore what’s been lost—our connection to the soil, to nature, and to each other.
The soil is not just beneath us. It’s the foundation of everything ahead.

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