UConn Dining Services
The Challenge
On average, every time a student eats in a University of Connecticut dining hall, he or she creates 2.2 ounces of food waste. That can amount to more than 37 tons in just one month on the Storrs campus. As part of a wider commitment to reducing waste, the institution sought to dispose of food scraps in a more thoughtful and sustainable manner.
The Partnership
We established a pilot program with UConn in December 2017 in which scraps from one dining hall were sent to our facility. In just two months, UConn diverted 14.2 tons of food waste from the waste stream to be recycled. The immediate success prompted leadership to quickly expand the program.
The Results
Today, all eight UConn dining halls divert their waste to our facility. We recycle and repurpose it as clean energy that powers homes and municipal buildings here in Southington.
Industrial Equipment Mechanic
Brian Nettleton
Brian started his career maintaining our fleet of trucks and heavy equipment before playing a crucial role in establishing our depackaging operation. His expertise covers a wide range of off-road equipment, including excavators, loaders, grinders, and screeners, and his troubleshooting skills are key in managing large conveyor systems and servicing high-speed mills. Thanks to Brian’s leadership and diligent daily maintenance, we’re able to ensure peak performance at our main shredding plant.
Pre-Treatment Manager
Todd Berube
Todd is longstanding employee in the digestion business. As the first operator that started with our team at the inception of the construction of the anaerobic digester, Todd was instrumental in the formative years of Quantum’s operation group. Todd is highly skilled at managing the mechanized systems that makeup Quantum’s robust food waste pre-treatment system, which, processes all of the various incoming food waste streams from our partners and customers.
Facilities Manager
Marty Paganini
Marty is an industry veteran with over 40 years’ experience in a variety of business sectors. He is actively involved in the operations, maintenance, and general business of the processes that makeup the campus’ food waste recycling business. As a longstanding colleague, he supported the legacy mulch and green waste recycling operation and migrated over to the food waste side of the business. His passion and commitment to the Quantum business and its people shows through in his work every day.
Operations Manager, Depackaging
Juan Gonzalez
You can’t tell the story of Quantum without mentioning Juan Gonzalez, lead manager of our depackaging facility. Juan has been with us for more than a decade, previously heading up operations at our green waste recycling facility in West Hartford. He currently manages the inbound and outbound streams of packaged waste materials delivered by our partners and ensures these products are recycled appropriately using our advanced equipment. Throughout his tenure, Juan hasn’t met a challenge he couldn’t overcome.
WELCOME TO QUANTUM ORGANICS
What will your waste be?
Quantum Biopower and Supreme Forest Products have merged to create the Northeast’s preeminent organic waste recycler. Simultaneously, we have joined Circular Services, the country’s largest privately held pure-play recycling company.
Building on our established capabilities, Quantum Organics will help businesses, institutions, and municipalities comprehensively address and achieve their sustainability goals.
WELCOME TO QUANTUM ORGANICS
What will your waste be?
Quantum Biopower and Supreme Forest Products have merged to create the Northeast’s preeminent organic waste recycler. Simultaneously, we have joined Circular Services, the country’s largest privately held pure-play recycling company.
Building on our established capabilities, Quantum Organics will help businesses, institutions, and municipalities comprehensively address and achieve their sustainability goals.
Yard Operations Manager
Ryan Boyle
In a short time, Ryan Boyle has swiftly ascended the ranks to become our yard operations manager. He oversees all operations at the green waste recycling facility and is accountable for the production of our compost soils and mulches. His knowledge and commitment make him an invaluable team member, and it goes without saying we feel fortunate to have Ryan working here.
Shop Manager
John Stankes
In his role as shop manager, John Stankes draws upon a wealth of knowledge accrued over a distinguished career. John joined the Navy at the age of 17, rising in rank to Engineman Chief Petty Officer and becoming an instructor in the diesel engineering department. He went on to be a heavy truck and automotive technician prior to joining New England Bark Mulch as head mechanic and shop foreman. For us, John manages over-the-road and yard equipment, leveraging his unique expertise on a daily basis.
Office Manager
Abby Downes
A member of the team for more than a decade, our office manager, Abby Downes, performs essential duties with expertise and dedication. She excels in everything from onboarding and payroll to managing accounts receivable and payable. Abby also ensures smooth, efficient operations through her proficiencies, in sales, customer service, fuel tax reporting, and banking/account balancing.
Accounting Manager
Alison Doyle
While Alison’s official role is accounting manager, her contributions extend far beyond what her title may suggest. Alison is a day-one Quantum employee who routinely goes above and beyond, learning from and assisting her colleagues and doing so with a smile on her face. She’s thought of as the glue of our company, though she’s far too humble to claim it herself.
Facility Manager
Eli Brigham
Eli Brigham is a jack of all trades. Having previously been a performance bike fabricator and industrial mechanic, he has a knack for and deep understanding of large systems and machinery. In his role as facility manager, he makes sure our equipment is firing on all cylinders. He’s also a valued leader whose passion motivates the rest of the team to overcome any challenge we may face.
Lead process engineer
Justin Lipe
Since starting at Quantum as an intern in 2017, Justin Lipe has become essential to our daily operations. He’s currently lead process engineer and is in charge of making sure our facilities remain healthy and running in optimal conditions. If you come for a tour of our campus, you’re likely to meet Justin and are sure to be impressed by his knowledge of biology, chemistry, and environmental processes.
General Manager
Charlie Leigus
Charles (Charlie) Leigus is the general manager of our green waste operation. Under Charlie’s supervision, we recycle 150,000+ yards of green waste per year, producing compost, soils, and natural bark mulches. He’s a certified forester whose knowledge of and affinity for the woods goes directly into the work he does.
Vice President and Managing Director
Brian Paganini
As our vice president and managing director, Brian Paganini has spearheaded the development and operation of one of the country’s only food waste-to-energy facilities.
Brian wears many hats but routinely encourages team members to think innovatively and challenge the status quo in the recycling industry. He oversees Quantum’s mission to revamp Connecticut’s waste stream so that organic materials are repurposed appropriately.
Eager to overcome a challenge, Brian’s vision and vigor are contagious. He spends time mentoring and educating children and students across the state to help cultivate future leaders in business and engineering. All with a focus on sustainable practices and meaningful change.