Each day, 16 food waste teams collect food waste from across the borough. Upon collection, food waste is taken to a specialist facility for anaerobic digestion – a natural process that converts food waste into renewable energy and a nutrient-rich fertiliser.
Instead of going to landfill where it would release harmful greenhouse gases, the borough's food waste is used to produce biogas and electricity, helping to power homes and buildings.
During the process a by-product known as digestate is also created, which is used as a sustainable fertiliser to grow new crops.
Anaerobic Digestion Process
1. Pre-treatment – Food waste is shredded and mixed with water to form a soup-like substance. Liners from your food caddies are removed and sent to an energy-from-waste facility for further processing.
2. Digestion – The mixture is transferred into large, sealed tanks where natural bacteria break down the food waste, producing biogas and heat.
3.Energy Generation – The captured biogas is converted into renewable electricity and heat, which helps power homes and businesses.
4. Fertiliser Production – The remaining digestate is pasteurised and used as a nutrient-rich fertiliser, supporting crop growth and reducing the need for chemical alternatives.
