WEALTH April 16, 2026 0 Comments

How This Irish Startup Is Turning Food Waste Into a Goldmine of Renewable Energy—and Why Investors Can’t Look Away

Ever wonder what if your kitchen scraps could power your stove instead of crowding your landfill bins? Well, Cork-based AmuGreen just flipped the script with MyGug — a sleek little anaerobic digester that turns everyday food waste into cooking gas and garden-friendly fertiliser, right in your own home. With Ireland chucking out over 800,000 tonnes of food waste last year alone (that’s roughly 162 kilos per person), this invention couldn’t have landed at a better time. The beauty here? It’s not just about tossing trash – it’s about transforming a colossal problem into a smart, self-sustaining solution. Imagine slashing your waste fees while fueling your kitchen and nourishing your plants—isn’t that a win-win waiting to happen? Entrepreneur Kieran Coffey’s vision to recast waste as a resource is exactly the kind of disruptive thinking we need in this eco-conscious era. Ready to rethink your rubbish? LEARN MORE

MyGug, developed by an Irish cleantech company, is seeking to reshape how households deal with food waste, with a home-based system that converts scraps into renewable energy and fertiliser.

Cork-based AmuGreen has developed MyGug, a compact anaerobic digester designed for domestic use.

The unit enables households to process food waste on-site, producing biogas for cooking as well as a nutrient-rich liquid suitable for gardening.

The launch comes amid growing pressure on consumers to reduce their environmental impact and as concerns around food waste and energy security intensify.

Rather than relying on traditional waste collection systems, the MyGug system allows users to turn organic waste into a usable resource within the home.

Data from the Environmental Protection Agency highlights the scale of the issue. Ireland generated approximately 835,000 tonnes of food waste in 2023, equivalent to around 162kg per person, among the highest levels in Europe.

MyGug can process up to 1.5kg of food waste per day, generating enough gas for up to two hours of cooking.

In addition to energy production, the system produces liquid fertiliser, reducing reliance on chemical alternatives and supporting a closed-loop household model.

The product was developed by Irish entrepreneur Kieran Coffey, who aimed to create a practical and scalable solution to everyday waste.

He said the goal was to shift perceptions of food waste from a disposal problem to a valuable resource.

“We created MyGug to fundamentally change how people think about waste,” Coffey said.

“By enabling households to turn that waste into clean energy and liquid feed, we are giving people the tools to become more self-sufficient while also making a measurable environmental impact.”

The system is already in use across a range of settings, including homes, schools and community projects, demonstrating its adaptability.

Designed and manufactured in Ireland, it is intended to operate year-round with minimal maintenance.

Retailing at €3,450 including installation, the company positions MyGug as a long-term investment.

Potential savings from reduced waste collection fees, lower energy use and fertiliser production could see households recoup costs within three to four years.

As interest in sustainable living grows, solutions like MyGug point to a shift beyond recycling towards fully integrated, home-based resource management systems.

Photo: Irish entrepreneur Kieran Coffey with MyGug