The council has agreed to send its food waste to Biogen’s £10 million Merevale anaerobic digestion plant in Atherstone, which is due to be completed in September 2015.
The contract, which officially began September 1 2014, follows a DCLG-funded food waste collection pilot scheme in Oadby and Wigston borough council, as well as a pledge by the county council to support WRAP’s Love Food Hate Waste campaign earlier this year.
It means residents in Leicestershire will be the among the first to have their food waste treated at the 45,000 tonnes-per-year capacity plant, which will convert the waste into energy for the National Grid and produce fertiliser (see letsrecycle.com story).
Northamptonshire
While the site is still undergoing construction, food waste will be to be sent to Biogen’s Westwood AD facility near Rushden in Northamptonshire, which already treats food waste generated by Oadby and Wigston council. The plant processes 65,000 tonnes of food waste a year.
Julian O Neill, chief executive officer of Biogen, welcomed the decision as an example of the Leicestershire authoities’ ‘forward thinking’ when it came to food waste disposal.
He said: “As specialists in managing food waste, Biogen has years of operational experience and by working closely with many local authorities we understand their requirements. Our AD solution takes care of everything and as a result, addresses many of the issues that councils face. We are delighted that Leicestershire County Council has chosen us for their food waste treatment solution.
“The contract is further evidence of Leicestershire authorities’ forward thinking and of its commitment to protecting the environment when it comes to food waste disposal. Earlier in 2014 Leicestershire County Council pledged its support to WRAP’s (Waste Resources and Action Programme) national ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign which aims to reduce the amount of food that households throw away.”
Blake Pain, Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet member for waste, added: “We are pleased to have signed this contract with Biogen to treat our household waste in an environmentally friendly way. This will see even more waste diverted from landfill, making a saving to the taxpayer in the process.”
Wales
Organic waste specialist Biogen is currently developing three anaerobic digestion facilities in Wales, with Prince Charles giving its Gwynedd plant a royal stamp of approval during a visit in July 2013.
More recently, the Gwynedd facility was recognised under Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd’s Biofertiliser Certification scheme – the first AD plant in Wales to be awarded the accreditation (see letsrecycle.com story).
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