Microsoft has entered into a significant agreement with Vaulted Deep, a Houston-based waste management company, to remove up to 4.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over the next 12 years. This initiative is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to achieve carbon negativity by 2030.
Vaulted Deep specializes in managing organic waste that cannot be reused or safely applied to land. The company collects materials such as biosolids, manure, paper sludge, and food and agricultural residues, converting them into a slurry. This slurry is then injected approximately 5,000 feet underground into stable geological formations sealed by impermeable rock layers, effectively preventing the release of CO₂ and methane into the atmosphere. (prnewswire.com)
Since its inception in 2008, Vaulted Deep has operated in multiple states, including California and Kansas. In Los Angeles, the company has managed 20% of the city's biosolids for the past 15 years. In Kansas, its Great Plains facility, operational since 2023, handles 75% of the City of Derby's biosolids and collaborates with local farmers to manage excess manure, thereby protecting groundwater from contamination. (prnewswire.com)
To date, Vaulted Deep has disposed of over 69,000 metric tons of organic waste, sequestering nearly 18,000 metric tons of CO₂. The company's technology and operations are certified by Isometric, a carbon registry that issues scientifically rigorous carbon removal credits, ensuring that corporations can reliably meet their climate commitments. (prnewswire.com)
Microsoft's decision to partner with Vaulted Deep aligns with its commitment to becoming carbon negative by 2030. The company has faced challenges in meeting its climate goals due to the increasing number of data centers required to support growing demand for cloud services and artificial intelligence. In 2024, Microsoft's greenhouse gas emissions increased by nearly 30% compared to 2020, the year it announced its carbon-negative ambition.
In response, Microsoft has pursued various carbon offset initiatives. In April 2025, the company signed a deal with AtmosClear to sequester 6.75 million metric tons of CO₂ over 15 years using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology. The project, located in Louisiana, aims to convert materials like sugarcane bagasse and forest trimmings into energy while sequestering carbon underground. (reuters.com)
Critics argue that such carbon offset schemes allow companies to claim they are reducing emissions while continuing business as usual. However, Microsoft's Senior Director of Energy and Carbon Removal, Brian Marrs, stated that Vaulted Deep provides a scalable approach to permanent carbon removal with minimal risk. He emphasized that the partnership delivers immediate climate benefits, stimulates local economies, and addresses long-standing environmental challenges faced by communities. (prnewswire.com)
The financial terms of the agreement between Microsoft and Vaulted Deep have not been disclosed. However, Vaulted Deep's CEO, Julia Reichelstein, mentioned that the cost for the service is expected to decrease over time. (tomshardware.com)
This partnership underscores Microsoft's commitment to exploring innovative solutions to offset its carbon footprint and achieve its long-term environmental goals.
Source: theregister.com Microsoft pays firm to flush its carbon sins underground
