Energy from food waste

Food Science and TechnologyVolume 35, Issue 2 p. 41-43 FeaturesFree Access Energy from food waste First published: 15 June 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/fsat.3502_12.xAboutSectionsPDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text full-text accessPlease review our Terms Conditions of Use check box below share version article.I have read accept the Wiley Online Library UseShareable LinkUse link a this article with your friends colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Philip Simpson ReFood explains why anaerobic digestion (AD) should be considered central long-term success UK's strategy. The volume generated every year across retail supply chain, hospitality sector in UK homes stands at around 9.5m tonnes1. While innovative thinking, behavioural change positive action chain has seen slowly decrease (down 10m tonnes 2015 11.2m 2007), there is still long way go. much emphasis on reduction initiatives redistribution programmes, not widely appreciated crucial role playing management unavoidable waste. However, are several challenges that need overcome. Indeed, while nation's AD capacity increasing – up 6m per according recent Defra figures2 most pressing challenge facing industry today side. Introduction Anaerobic accepted by multiple sources, including British Government, Defra, Welsh Assembly, Scottish Parliament Friends Earth, as one effective methods managing It natural process biologically breaks down organic material generate large amounts biogas mixture methane carbon dioxide able turn into green energy sustainable biofertiliser. process, initial delivery export, can broken following six steps: 1 Pre-treatment When arrives an site, it placed hoppers, which effectively mix grind together. In some state-of-the-art facilities, de-packaging equipment allows all plastic packaging removed, cleaned, sorted collected for use refuse-derived fuels (RDF). Liquid added so pumped next stage. Heating, pasteurisation cooling then passed through heat exchanger warmed 70°C hour. This pasteurises material, destroying any dangerous bacteria ensuring complies animal by-product regulations. pasteurised cooled naturally, channelling run alongside cold, incoming lowers its temperature approximately 40°C. 3 Mixing Next, moved mixing tank agitated three days. ensures smooth well-blended product transferred digestors important maximise continuity. 4 Digestion Once mixed, digestor tank. Each filled blended which, over 30 35 days, absence oxygen release biogas. 5 Gas collection biogas, rises top digestors, biological scrubber remove hydrogen sulphide molecules minimise odour before moving onto final stages production. 6 Screening, storage dispatch kept tanks until required. pre-conditioned, pressurised being sent processing. At ReFood's Doncaster plant, gas used fuel industrial-scale combined power engines electricity delivered directly National Grid provides enough 10,000 year. produce hot water steam raw A employee opens hopper cover, ready bulk Facility removal items. London Widnes plants, undergoes further refining volatile compounds. complete, odorant biomethane Grid. Refood's Dagenham facility capable processing more than 160,000 generates 14m m3 (enough 12,600 homes) annum. Biofertiliser been completed, digestate (which therefore meets PAS110 accreditation) transformed ReGrow bio-fertiliser local farming agricultural use. means ounce entering repurposed maintain place value chain. closes loop, grow tomorrow's crops. Zero economy Although treatment since 1800s, only recently become commercial-scale solution ideal businesses food, industrial sectors recycle their waste, cut footprint reduce reliance fossil fuels. As part Waste Strategy England3, were encouraged consider meet targets commitment continues. concerns about environment grow, demand ways renewable result, investing commercial benefits apparent. terms environmental benefit, calculated tonne recycled alternative landfill prevents between 0.5 1.0 CO2 atmosphere, contributing offsetting chemical fertilisers. energy, impact would otherwise occur when (a damaging greenhouse gas) escapes landfill. Government working towards zero-waste economy, resources fully valued far possible. To encourage recycling, introduced tough financial penalties divert away (backed European Union Directive). Another tangible benefit adopting avoidance tax, currently capped £80 tonne. addition, corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy. By technology uses create clean sector, such restaurants cafes, well enhancing reputations values. Waitrose Three months ahead original schedule, achieved aim sending zero UK. Through ‘Treading Lightly’ strategy, company conducted thorough operations wider enabled identify factors these could addressed individually. implemented series solutions, donating surplus banks, charities zoos, remaining AD. was first organisations preferred Mustard Foods speciality producer supplying sauces, soups, dressings, fillings marinades 400 handles hundreds ingredients products day, generating typically technical samples internal staff meals, smaller also coming take-back systems inconsistency. ‘Good Business Journey’, partnered implement integrated recycling solution. lower volumes, emissions costs. increase efficiencies allow separate source, ‘bin swap’ service full-size, sanitised bins supplied kitchen areas. full, transported converted energy. All sanitised, allowing them hygienically supplies packaged products, having unpack unwanted potential barrier recycling. already had 100% non-landfill place, partnership business take step further, collecting excess produce, both non-packaged plus library samples. plant. QHotels Following month trial number sites country, considerable cost savings result diversion general collections subsequent disposal expanded cover north England sites, helped achieve delivering targets. Barriers progress made significant reducing thanks multitude supportive visionary thinking data4 shows entities begun address homeowners lagging behind. household biggest contributor mountain. may possible changing purchasing habits, improving penalising unnecessary ‘unavoidable’ fraction (shells, bones, gristle, etc.) estimated 30% total will continue landfilled unless legislative made. We throwing millions needed decentralised electricity. robust, national strategy ban completely solving issue. Key access services nationwide. Two developments critical reform: 1. restaurants, schools hospitals, switch collections. 2. Household home kerbside Adopting simple task. switching voluntarily ticks sustainability boxes help save 50% comes collections, however, onerous. Historically, decision making refuse design devolved individual councils keep local. practice, created confusing pattern varying schemes no economies scale. collect garden area, they another. glass bottles kerbside, others do not. plans roll out households, but implementation legislation slipped back, proposed start date now 2023. clear, world-class Leadership vision reality Simpson, Commercial Director, Email [email protected] Web refood.co.uk References 1https://refood.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SARIA_NFWH_report.pdfGoogle Scholar 2https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/latest-news/food-waste-capacity-hits-6m-tonnes-in-2020/Google 3https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/resources-and-waste-strategy-for-englandGoogle 4https://wrap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-11/Food-surplus-and-waste-in-the-UK-key-facts-Jan-2020.pdf) Google Volume35, Issue2June 2021Pages ReferencesRelatedInformation