Cincinnati Parks announced on Oct. 28, 2026, that a pyrolysis unit for turning wood waste into biochar has arrived, calling the delivery a milestone toward the city’s first facility of its kind. According to the department’s news release, Cincinnati is expected to be among the first U.S. cities to produce biochar. The material is described as capable of sequestering carbon dioxide and helping new trees grow.
The department says the biochar will support carbon capture, urban planting, tree-canopy expansion in underserved neighborhoods and stormwater management. A production facility is still to be built; the release says plant material would be heated at high temperature with limited oxygen. Biochar is to be used in Cincinnati Parks plantings and those of partners.
The release lists Great Parks, Cincinnati Parks, Carbon Harvest, Bloomberg Philanthropies and the city Office of Environment and Sustainability as contributors. Along with the pyrolysis unit, a large boiler, an Organic Rankine Cycle generator and a cooling loop were received, the release says.
The biochar project is tied to renovation of the Sinton Avenue operations center. Cincinnati Parks says that hub serves crews systemwide and needs major repair. Planned work includes a roof with covered loading, exterior glazing, zoned HVAC, electrical upgrades, offices, restrooms, solar panels, EV charging, better material storage and other items.