Environment

By using food waste as a fuel, Anaerobic Digestion (AD) has a key role to play in helping us replace fossil fuels, increase the efficiency of our energy system and cut methane emissions from landfill sites.  Unlike other biofuels, AD does not compete with food production.

As well as helping tackle climate change, AD can also solve many of our waste management problems, cut freshwater pollution from organic wastes, increase fuel security and reduce our dependence on chemical fertilisers.

Selby Renewable Energy Park will recycle 165,000 tonnes of commercial food waste each year that would otherwise have been sent to landfill, generating enough clean, renewable electricity to power 10,800 homes.  It will also create a low cost heat for local businesses and 152,000 tonnes of bio-fertiliser, helping reduce UK CO2 emissions by 28,000 tonnes per year.

“Producing 100% renewable energy from our biodegradable waste helps tackle climate change, instead of contributing to climate change through landfilling and incineration.”

Friends of the Earth Briefing of Anaerobic Digestion, September 2007

Facts

  • Landfill tax is set to rise to £48 per tonne by 2010 as part of the government’s drive to cut landfill waste by 50% of 1995 values by 2012.
  • The government aims to supply 15% of energy from renewable sources and to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% of 1990 levels by the year 2020.
  • According to a statement from DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) released in August 2008, at its full potential, AD could produce enough electricity to power 2 million homes.
  • Research from WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Program) has found that in total food waste in the UK is around 18-20 million tonnes each year.
  • If 20 million tonnes of food waste were used to generate electricity through AD rather than being sent to landfill, the carbon saving would be around 3.4 million tonnes per year.
  • Waste food sent to landfill is a major contributor to the production of greenhouse gases in the UK.  Once in landfill, food breakdown produces methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide.  AD captures any methane produced and converts it to renewable energy and heat.