Archive · 24 Jul 2025
Microsoft Plans $1.7B Deal to Bury Human Waste for Climate Goal
Microsoft is investing in a new way to fight climate change by buying and burying human and animal waste.
The company is paying a startup called Vaulted Deep $1.7 billion to bury 4.9 million tons of waste deep underground.
This waste includes things like manure and sewage sludge.
When this waste is buried, it stops releasing harmful gases into the air that cause climate change.
Microsoft hopes this will help them remove more carbon than they produce, as they want to be carbon negative by 2030.
This waste removal method also stops pollution from getting into the soil and water.
Microsoft plans to buy 4.9 million metric tons of human waste from Vaulted Deep for $1.7 billion.
The waste, including manure and sewage, will be injected thousands of feet underground.
Vaulted Deep's process stops decomposition, locking in greenhouse gasses and preventing soil/water pollution.
Microsoft aims to be carbon negative by 2030, offsetting emissions from its AI operations.
The project is considered low-risk and cost-effective compared to alternatives like direct air capture.
- Who
- Microsoft is purchasing the waste from Vaulted Deep.
- What
- Microsoft is buying 4.9 million metric tons of waste to be buried to combat climate change.
- When
- The deal with Vaulted Deep begins next year.
- Where
- The waste will be injected underground.
- Why
- To become carbon negative by 2030 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Company
- Microsoft
- Startup
- Vaulted Deep
- Waste Type
- Organic waste, including manure, sewage sludge
- Quantity
- 4.9 million metric tons
- Cost
- $1.7 billion
- Goal
- Carbon negative by 2030
- Process
- Injecting waste thousands of feet underground