Under the arrangement, food waste collected by the council will be transported to Bio Capital’s Warrens Emerald Biogas facility in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, where it will be treated through anaerobic digestion (AD).
The facility will convert the food waste into biogas, which can then be used to generate renewable electricity and biomethane for homes and businesses.
The AD will also produce biofertilizer that will be returned to farmland.
The agreement follows Bio Capital’s recently announced food waste processing partnership with Darlington Borough Council, covering more than 54,000 households.
Together, the two contracts strengthen the company’s presence in the North East as councils prepare for expanded separate food waste collections.
Iain Pickles, Head of Commercial at Bio Capital, commented: “We’re proud to be working with Durham County Council on a partnership that shows what food waste collection can really achieve at county scale.
“Alongside our recently announced partnership with Darlington Borough Council, this strengthens the North East’s role in showing how local authorities can move beyond compliance and build food waste systems that deliver real value for communities, businesses and the environment.”
Food waste collection under Simpler Recycling
The contract comes as councils across England continue to procure food waste collection and treatment services ahead of mandatory weekly household food waste collections under the government’s Simpler Recycling reforms.
The legislation requires local authorities to introduce separate weekly food waste collections for households.
Councillor Kyle Genner, Durham County Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Police Relations, added: “Following food waste recycling schemes being introduced by the Government, we have been working hard to implement the service across the county.
“Our partnership with Bio Capital means food waste collected across County Durham will be processed locally with a tangible benefit to our economy and farmers, alongside supporting our growing demand for energy.”
Durham County Council’s food waste is also processed at Organic Waste Solution’s Wardley Biogas Facility in West Boldon.
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