UPDATE: New Earth Regeneration Initiative (NERI) founder Carlos Marin is transforming waste management in California, with groundbreaking results emerging from schools and communities. As Arminta Street Elementary in North Hollywood leads the way, over 10,000 pounds of food waste has been composted in just two years, showcasing a model that could reshape the region’s environmental landscape.
The initiative’s success comes at a critical time as California grapples with severe desertification and water scarcity. Marin’s journey into environmental activism was catalyzed by the alarming “Orange Skies Day” wildfire event in 2020, which prompted him to pivot from a decade in finance to focus on urgent ecological challenges.
Through NERI, founded in May 2022, Marin developed the innovative Organic Waste Processing System (OWPS), designed to maximize nutrient retention in soil. “Just 90 square feet of OWPS can process over 10,000 pounds of organic waste,” Marin stated. His system utilizes native biological agents such as red worms and black soldier flies to create compost with nutrient levels 350% higher than commercial alternatives.
The environmental impact of OWPS is profound. As Marin explained, “If we don’t have vegetation, the soil becomes like concrete and water can’t penetrate. That’s why we have all these floods: the water has nowhere to go.” By retaining seven to ten times more water, this initiative offers hope for California’s arid landscapes, allowing for better water conservation during dry months.
At Arminta Street Elementary, Principal Rene Ramirez praised the program, noting, “Our students are really good now at separating food waste from plastic and paper cartons.” The initiative has made waste management easy to implement, contributing to the school’s goal of becoming one of the few “green schools” in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
In addition to the elementary school, NERI operates a second site at the California Mental Health Connection in Baldwin Park, where community members manage organic waste, processing over 6,500 pounds annually to support local gardens. Thanks to the initiative’s success, Marin has received approval to expand to a larger site in Holtsville, east of San Diego County, which promises to amplify their efforts.
This project coincides with discussions in Long Beach, where the City Council is set to address the challenges of the city’s organic waste program on October 21, 2025. Marin aims to replicate the success of NERI on a larger scale, potentially reducing food waste by 90% to 95% in larger businesses.
Marin’s commitment to sustainability has not gone unnoticed; he was recognized by the city of West Covina for his presentation at the 2025 United Nations Science Summit. “We shouldn’t be using so much energy and water to produce something that’s essentially a fire hazard,” he emphasized.
As NERI continues to operate, Marin’s vision for soil regeneration remains steadfast. “It’s one of the things that gets me most excited,” he said about the project’s potential to restore California’s landscapes.
Stay tuned for further updates on this innovative initiative and its impact on sustainable practices across California. With leaders like Carlos Marin at the forefront, the future looks promising for environmental regeneration.
