Digital Social Hour: Transforming Waste into Clean Energy | Eden Energy DSH #1287

Release Date: April 1, 2025

Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Jonathan Appel, Co-Founder of Eden Energy

Introduction

In episode #1287 of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly engages in an in-depth conversation with Jonathan Appel from Eden Energy. The discussion centers on Eden Energy’s groundbreaking technology that transforms waste into clean energy, addressing critical issues such as plastic pollution, energy inefficiency, and environmental degradation. This episode delves into the intricacies of Eden Energy's processes, the challenges they've overcome, and their vision for a sustainable future.

Eden Energy's Revolutionary Technology

Jonathan Appel begins by explaining the core mechanism of Eden Energy's technology:

Jonathan Appel [00:00]: "The hydrolysis is you oxidize and neutralize heavy metals. You break down pathogens. So we did a study with the DoD in the early days of New York State Department of Health where we ran tests on Bacillium, Streptomyces, and anthrax. And it's the only technology to ever receive 100% pathogen destruction on those pathogens."

This innovative approach utilizes water under pressure to generate free hydrogen, which breaks down carbon bonds at the molecular level, effectively converting various forms of carbon-based waste—including plastics, dog waste, food waste, and used cooking oil—into usable energy. Unlike traditional methods, Eden Energy's system doesn't discriminate based on the type or contamination level of the waste, making it exceptionally versatile.

Addressing Plastic Pollution

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on plastic pollution and the inefficacy of current recycling methods:

Jonathan Appel [01:10]: "For sure. And we finally have a solution to plastic. I mean, there really isn't one out there that is currently being utilized that actually gets rid of it down at the molecular level."

Appel critiques conventional recycling, noting that approximately 95% of recyclables end up either landfilled or incinerated rather than being truly recycled. Eden Energy’s technology overcomes these limitations by breaking down plastics at the molecular level, ensuring complete conversion into clean energy without residual pollutants.

Comparative Analysis with Pyrolysis and Gasification

Eden Energy's technology is contrasted with pyrolysis and gasification, highlighting superior efficiency and environmental benefits:

Jonathan Appel [06:05]: "Pyrolysis is a bird scooter, we're a Rolls Royce. You can get from A to B, but you're riding in a little bit different style."

Appel emphasizes that pyrolysis suffers from low energy efficiency (10-20%) and generates toxic byproducts like tar and ash, which exacerbate pollution. In contrast, Eden Energy achieves over 90% energy efficiency through its water-based, hydrogen-centric process, effectively eliminating pollutants and producing high-purity energy outputs.

Environmental Impact and Pathogen Neutralization

The technology not only converts waste into energy but also addresses environmental toxins and pathogens:

Jonathan Appel [38:25]: "So, that was right as the whole anthrax scare was happening. And with our military connections, they wanted to see make sure if there really was like a major attack and they had to dispose of this, they had a solution and they did."

Eden Energy's system can neutralize heavy metals and destroy 100% of pathogens, making it suitable for processing medical and infectious waste. This capability was validated through studies with the Department of Defense and the New York State Department of Health, ensuring robust and safe waste reclamation.

Personal Journey and Collaboration with His Father

Jonathan Appel shares his entrepreneurial journey, deeply influenced by his father, the founding EVP of Ticketmaster:

Jonathan Appel [03:03]: "I've been walking down this path together since 1997. We've had some really cool successes over the years in advancing this technology."

Appel attributes the inception of Eden Energy's technology to a combination of scientific inquiry and visionary guidance inspired by nature. Their collaboration has spanned decades, culminating in the current readiness to bring the technology to the global market.

Challenges and Setbacks Over Three Decades

The path to Eden Energy’s current success was fraught with challenges:

Jonathan Appel [20:07]: "Eden is actually the third company that we're going to be building to roll this out. The first company was Changing World Technologies... but we had to walk away from our own business."

From attempting an IPO just before the 2008 market crash to navigating economic turmoil in Turkey following a failed coup in 2016, Appel recounts a series of obstacles that tested their resilience. Despite setbacks, the ownership of the technology remained with his father, allowing Eden Energy to persevere and innovate continuously.

Future Plans and Strategic Partnerships

Looking ahead, Eden Energy has ambitious plans to scale and partner with major corporations:

Jonathan Appel [35:08]: "We're going to look for a top tier CFO and make sure that we have all of our financials in order because we are going to look to tokenize these systems as far as their energy and CO2 credits…"

Eden Energy is preparing to expand manufacturing globally, targeting regions in South America, Africa, and Indonesia. They aim to collaborate with industry giants like Coca-Cola to utilize vast amounts of plastic waste for energy production. Additionally, the company is exploring advanced battery technologies, such as graphene-based batteries, to complement their energy solutions.

Environmental and Societal Insights

Appel provides critical insights into broader environmental challenges, challenging prevalent narratives around CO₂ and renewable energy:

Jonathan Appel [29:25]: "CO2 was always higher, over a thousand for most of the planet's history. And life thrived."

He argues that the primary environmental threat is not CO₂ but the pervasive pollution from plastics, pesticides like glyphosate, and heavy metals. Eden Energy's technology addresses these issues by converting pollutants into harmless or even beneficial products like organic fertilizers, thereby restoring environmental balance.

Innovations in Water Purification

Another key feature of Eden Energy's system is its ability to produce clean water:

Jonathan Appel [40:43]: "We are a net water producer. So if you think of garbage, garbage is about 50 to 60% water. ... So all that water usually just evaporates and goes away. Now you're able to capture it."

Their partnership with a cutting-edge wastewater technology company allows Eden Energy to convert captured water into 98% drinkable water, significantly outperforming traditional Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems. This integration provides communities with sustainable water solutions alongside energy production.

Health and Lifestyle Implications

Appel touches on the detrimental effects of modern lifestyle choices and environmental toxins on human health:

Jonathan Appel [42:32]: "Birth control in the water is really wrecking havoc on men… my testosterone levels... are sub 400."

He emphasizes the pervasive impact of chemicals like fluoride and birth control agents on both human health and ecosystems, advocating for cleaner water and environments through technologies like those developed by Eden Energy.

Call to Action and Final Thoughts

In closing, Appel expresses a strong commitment to promoting Eden Energy's mission:

Jonathan Appel [45:23]: "We're very good friends with those guys and I believe our marketing team is also going to be using TikTok… We're going to start doing some really active recruiting to bring on some really, really big players."

Appel encourages listeners to connect with Eden Energy through various social media platforms and underscores the company's dedication to transforming waste into clean energy, ultimately aiming to restore ecological harmony and provide sustainable energy solutions worldwide.

Conclusion

This episode of Digital Social Hour offers a comprehensive exploration of Eden Energy's transformative approach to waste management and clean energy production. Through Jonathan Appel's insightful explanations and personal anecdotes, listeners gain a deep understanding of the technology's potential to revolutionize environmental practices and address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Eden Energy stands as a beacon of innovation, showcasing how persistent effort and visionary thinking can lead to meaningful global impact.

Notable Quotes:

• Jonathan Appel [00:00]: "It's the only technology to ever receive 100% pathogen destruction on those pathogens."
• Jonathan Appel [06:05]: "Pyrolysis is a bird scooter, we're a Rolls Royce."
• Jonathan Appel [31:57]: "Some models are insane. We built out a 1500 ton per day model for an island... 220% IRR."
• Jonathan Appel [38:25]: "Our system is a complete waste reclamation technology. We're able to take all the compounds and everything that's in the waste and capture it in a form that's a viable product."
• Jonathan Appel [45:23]: "Explain things from the scientific perspective that I've been so blessed have the opportunity to learn."

Connect with Eden Energy:

• Instagram & LinkedIn: Jonathan Appel / Jonathan Appel on LinkedIn
• Eden Energy Instagram: @EdenEnergy
• Eden Energy on X (formerly Twitter): @EdenEnergyX

For more insights and updates on transformative technologies and sustainable solutions, subscribe to Digital Social Hour and stay tuned for future episodes featuring trailblazers across various industries.