Innovative Carbon Removal Pilot Comes to Monterey

Monterey County, CA — Sitos Group, a California-based startup, will unveil advanced carbon removal technology with ReGen Monterey on Friday, July 21 at 12:30 p.m. The public is invited to tour a groundbreaking pyrolysis facility, located at ReGen Monterey, 14201 Del Monte Blvd. in Salinas (1.5 miles north of Marina off Highway 1).

A pilot biochar production plant thermally processes wood byproducts in a low-oxygen environment, creating a charcoal-like substance known as biochar, which has the dual benefit of carbon sequestration and enhancing soil fertility in local agricultural lands. When biochar is mixed with compost and applied to soil, it mimics the ecosystem services provided by coral reefs, acting as a reservoir for essential nutrients, microorganisms, and water—a crucial resource in water-scarce regions such as drought-stricken California. The highly porous nature of biochar offers an ideal habitat for a diverse range of beneficial soil microorganisms, thereby promoting optimal soil and plant health, as attested by the (USDA). Sitos’ pilot project is opportunely located at ReGen Monterey's facility, which is surrounded by Monterey County’s famed and expansive agriculture industry, along with access to excess forestry byproducts used as feedstock to produce the biochar.

“ReGen Monterey is proud to partner with the Sitos Group on this exciting opportunity to study new waste management innovations, support local farms and fight climate change,” said Felipe Melchor, general manager of ReGen Monterey. “We look forward to sharing this technology and promoting its benefits to the community and the environment.”

The launch ceremony will include a live demonstration of how Sitos repurposes local wood waste to manufacture high-quality, durable biochar, a Q&A on the social, economic, and environmental impacts of the process, and an educational overview on the background and benefits of biochar and regenerative agriculture. As a final component of the ceremony, Sitos will sequester their first lot of carbon, signifying the beginning of their efforts to remove 1,000,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by 2030.

 “We believe that we have the potential to make a significant impact on the environment and economy in Monterey and beyond,” said Mayo Ryan, CEO of the Sitos Group. “Biochar-enriched soil will not only rehabilitate and improve farmland but can sequester harmful greenhouse gases and mitigate climate change.”

Link to press release PDF HERE | Images are available to download HERE (credit Sitos.earth).

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ABOUT REGEN MONTEREY

ReGen Monterey is the public name of the Monterey Regional Waste Management District. We serve a population of approximately 170,000 in 853 square miles, including the cities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Sand City, Seaside, and the unincorporated areas of Big Sur, Carmel Highlands, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Corral De Tierra, Laguna Seca, Moss Landing, Pebble Beach, San Benancio, and Toro Park. Services to the community include recycling, composting, landfilling, household hazardous waste collection and renewable energy.

ABOUT SITOS GROUP

Sitos Group, a startup biochar manufacturing company, is supporting regenerative agricultural practices in California and promoting world-wide carbon removal. With a team directly tied to agriculture, Sitos is committed to revolutionizing the way farmers and growers approach regenerative agriculture practices by offering a sustainable solution that benefits soil health, mitigates drought, supports local communities, and fights climate change. For more information, visit www.sitos.earth and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Jessica Bronner                           Zoë Shoats

Sitos Group                                   Director of Communications, ReGen Monterey

831-744-2544                               831-264-6390

Jessicab@sitos.earth                 ZShoats@ReGenMonterey.org