Creating renewable energy and biofertlisers from organic waste
WRAP's work on organics details how organic reprocessors can work across the food and garden waste supply chain, including local authorities and farmers, to produce renewable energy and valuable compost and biofertilisers by anaerobic digestion of these wastes.
Food waste
An estimated 9.5 million tonnes of food which leaves the farm is thrown out across the UK every year – 70% of which could have been eaten. Of which, only 1.9Mt is recycled according to the most recent figures. The rest is recovered for Energy from Waste or landspreading, or ends up in landfills or sewers.
By working together, all of those involved, from producers, collectors and reprocessors, can extract the maximum value possible from food that would otherwise be wasted.
The WRAP-led Food Waste Recycling Action Plan sets out to increase the amount of food waste collected, provide long-term sustainable feedstocks for the food waste reprocessors and share the economic and environmental benefits of collecting and recycling food waste.
Key food waste reports and guidance
Garden waste
Collection of garden waste is key to the UK meeting targets to reduce biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill, and thereby reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
By using WRAP’s independent research local authorities can find guidance on how to encourage commercial organisations and local residents to compost themselves, or to participate in a community and local authority composting scheme.
Composting
Compost from green waste and food waste provides a valuable opportunity for local authorities, commercial organisations and householders to divert organic waste away from landfill. It is not only a vital aspect of keeping to landfill targets but can create a great amount of added value to organisations producing and using it.
WRAP’s independent research can help local authorities, organic reprocessors, residents and those working in agriculture to realise the economic and environmental benefits of producing and using high quality compost.
Key composting reports and guidance
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Compost Calculator
This calculator allows those creating and selling compost to see the financial values of key nutrients in compost and digestate when compared to inorganic fertilisers.
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Construction of a composting facility: A cost benefit case study
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Gate fees and compost prices
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In Vessel Composting (IVC)
Anaerobic Digestion
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is the process by which organic matter such as animal or food waste is broken down to produce renewable energy and biofertiliser.
Greater use of AD to produce renewable energy and biofertilisers, reduces dependence on fossil fuels and cuts carbon emissions.
WRAP’s extensive research can guide your organisation to gain economic and environmental benefits from using AD to make valuable resources out of organic waste.