# Matt Rogers turns food waste into climate action

> Mill's CEO is tackling a $540 billion problem by converting scraps into resources while building the carbon removal field from the ground up.
- Title: Matt Rogers turns food waste into climate action · TIME
- Summary: Mill's CEO is tackling a $540 billion problem by converting scraps into resources while building the carbon removal field from the ground up.
- Keywords: matt rogers, mill, food waste, carbon removal, whole foods, compass group, climate solutions, ai technology, TIME
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/collection/time100-climate/2026/matt-rogers
- Published: 2026-11-09T13:01:07.227+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: matt rogers, mill, food waste, carbon removal, whole foods, compass group, climate solutions, ai technology
## The scale of food waste
Around the world, the cost of wasted food is set to total $540 billion this year. Matt Rogers, CEO of Mill, is focused on turning food scraps into something useful.
## Mill's commercial expansion
Mill launched a commercial-scale system this year that processes food waste on-site while using AI to give kitchens insight into what they throw away, helping them adjust purchasing and production.
## Whole Foods partnership begins
Beginning in 2027, Whole Foods plans to implement Mill's technology to turn its in-store fruit and vegetable waste into chicken feed across its locations.
## Compass Group rollout
Mill announced a new partnership with Compass Group to roll out its services across corporate dining facilities, hospitals, universities, and stadiums starting next year.
## Carbon removal needs investment
Rogers says carbon dioxide removal is a climate solution not getting the attention or funding it deserves. About 14 years ago, he started investing heavily in finding ways to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
## Building the carbon removal field
Rogers funded National Academy of Sciences research on carbon removal, nonprofits building support for the idea, and policy discussions in Washington. That research informed Congress's Inflation Reduction Act.
## Progress and remaining gaps
Today, billions of dollars in federal funding are available and dozens of companies work on carbon removal. Carbon removal still needs more support and engineering talent to scale.
## Technology alone is not enough
Rogers learned from building Nest that world-class technology must be easy to use, affordable, and efficient. Technology must work within entire systems, not exist in isolation, to make real difference.

> Building a great product isn't enough. You also have to change entire systems around the product.
## AI's role in climate solutions
Rogers believes AI can help solve the climate crisis but must be one element of solutions, not autonomous. AI should support infrastructure, fortify systems, and pair with science to develop critical materials.
## Key takeaway

Matt Rogers, CEO of Mill, is addressing global food waste worth $540 billion annually through technology that turns scraps into chicken feed, while advocating for carbon dioxide removal as an underfunded climate solution.