Vaulted Deep Wins $8 Million in XPRIZE Carbon Challenge
Company recognized for innovative carbon storage using organic waste
Vaulted Deep, a forward-thinking waste management firm dedicated to transforming excess organic material into lasting carbon storage solutions, has recently been honored with $8 million as the second runner-up in the competitive XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition. This challenging global initiative spanned four years, urging teams to create scalable and verifiable methods for effectively sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and oceans. Vaulted Deep stood out due to its efficient organic waste storage process, which demonstrates low energy requirements and a sustainable impact. As part of its impressive results during the competition, the company successfully achieved the removal of 9,986 net tonnes of carbon.
By utilizing a unique approach, Vaulted Deep provides permanent carbon sequestration by injecting nonhazardous organic materials—such as biosolids, paper sludge, agricultural residues, and excess livestock waste—deep underground. This innovative method serves as a safe alternative to traditional waste management practices like landfilling, burning, or superficial land application, substantially reducing the likelihood of contaminants affecting nearby land, air, and water resources while permanently locking away carbon. Vaulted was one of three runners-up, joining forces with NetZero (Brazil) and UNDO Carbon (United Kingdom and Canada), and alongside the grand prize winner Mati Carbon from India.
Julia Reichelstein, Co-Founder and CEO of Vaulted Deep, emphasized the importance of community-focused solutions: "At Vaulted Deep, we're focused on delivering practical infrastructure that meets real community needs. This acknowledgment from XPRIZE reinforces that waste management can significantly contribute to carbon removal efforts and inspires us to expand our initiatives further."
The company’s advanced slurry injection technology builds on existing geologic engineering techniques that have been employed safely for many years. This process enables the storage of organic waste more than 3,000 feet beneath the earth's surface, utilizing porous sedimentary rock or salt formations that are securely sealed by impermeable layers, preventing any upward migration.
In Los Angeles, Vaulted Deep has effectively utilized its injection system for over 15 years, responsibly managing 20 percent of the city's biosolids. Meanwhile, in Kansas, the company’s facility on the Great Plains repurposes a secure salt cavern that was historically used for propane storage, ensuring groundwater preservation since the 1980s. In its inaugural 18 months of operations, this site generated 18 full-time jobs and contributed over $5 million to the local economy. The funds from the XPRIZE will enable Vaulted Deep to enhance its teams and expand its expertise, facilitating the launch of new sites while advancing permitting, infrastructure planning, and community engagement.
Omar Abou-Sayed, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of the company, stated, "Our methodology is rooted in geomechanical injection techniques that have been successfully implemented on a global scale for many years by our team and their predecessors. XPRIZE acknowledged this proven approach—currently operational, making a difference, and grounded in the reliability needed for large-scale responsible growth."
The XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition, initiated in 2021 with support from the Musk Foundation, attracted more than 1,300 teams from 88 countries. In 2024, 20 finalists were selected to undertake demonstration projects across four diverse pathways: air, land, ocean, and rock. These finalists were required to remove at least 1,000 tonnes of CO? over a one-year demonstration phase and outline a credible pathway to gigatonne-scale removal, while adhering to stringent criteria regarding cost-effectiveness, monitoring, and sustainability.
About Vaulted Deep
Vaulted Deep specializes in providing long-term underground storage solutions for organic waste that cannot be reused, recycled, or safely applied to land. By employing deep geological infrastructure, the company safeguards local ecosystems from potential pollutants while removing significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. Vaulted collaborates with municipalities, industrial operators, and agricultural producers to present a secure and scalable alternative to landfills, incineration, and surface waste application. Their model leverages existing infrastructure and regulatory standards, making it one of the few commercially viable carbon removal solutions based on practical waste management approaches.
Media Contact
Brooke Kinney
SOURCE Vaulted Deep
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What innovation did Vaulted Deep present in the competition?
They provided a method for permanent carbon storage by injecting organic waste underground, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional disposal methods.
2. What is the significance of the $8 million award?
This funding acknowledges their innovative waste management solution and enables further growth and expansion of their operations.
3. How does the injection process work?
Organic waste is injected deep underground, where it is securely stored within impermeable geological formations, preventing environmental contamination.
4. Can you explain the environmental impact of Vaulted Deep's methods?
By preventing pollution and storing carbon, their methods contribute to a cleaner environment and help combat climate change.
5. How long has Vaulted Deep been in operation?
Vaulted has successfully implemented its injection technology for over 15 years, making significant contributions to waste management and carbon removal.
