Anaerobic digestion (AD) company Biogen has announced that it has recycled 500,000 tonnes of food waste since it began operating eight years ago, in 2006.
The food waste, which is broken down by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen to produce biomethane, generates renewable electricity for the grid and can provide a valuable crop fertiliser.
According to Biogen, processing 500,000 tonnes of food waste in this way provides enough electricity to power 36,000 households for one year whilst preventing 452,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere (compared to sending the waste to landfill).
Simon Musther, Head of Commercial Operations for Biogen, said: “ This is a fantastic milestone. Biogen is proud to be providing a first-class service that is saving our customers money as well as making a positive contribution to the environment.”
Biogen has three food waste AD plants in the UK and another five under construction. The company’s Waen AD plant in Denbighshire is due for completion at the end of July.
The UK Government has set a target to increase energy supplied by renewable sources to at least 15 per cent by 2020 and AD is one way of contributing towards this goal.
Read more about the UK’s AD plants here.
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.