Food waste recycling produces compost and energy

17:09:20 18th September 2008

A number of local authorities have been using food waste to create compost as part of their waste management pilot project.

The councils turned 4,400 tonnes of left over food into fertiliser as part of their Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

In total, 19 local authorities across England and Northern Ireland took part, collecting food waste from 94,000 homes.

The move cut carbon emissions by 2,000 tonnes.

WRAP director for local government services Phillip Ward said consultation is key when embarking on a waste management plan.

"If you design a scheme like this with the customer in mind, making sure you give them what they need and discussing their concerns about whether it's going to be messy or smelly and how that can be dealt with, then results can be achieved," he told 24dash.

The compost was used to fertilise farmland and gardens as well as redevelop reclaimed land.

As an added green advantage, Mid Bedfordshire council was one of two councils to put the waste through anaerobic digestion, which uses bacteria to release gasses from the waste which can be burned for energy.