BioteCH4 secures six food waste recycling contracts with Staffordshire County Council

BioteCH4 has strengthened its relationship with Newcastle-under-Lyme District Council after being appointed as one of five providers on a framework with Staffordshire County Council.

Under the framework, BioteCH4 has secured contracts to recycle up to 11,000 tonnes of food waste from Newcastle-under-Lyme, East Staffordshire, Staffordshire Moorlands and Stoke-on-Trent City Council via anaerobic digestion (AD).

The company, England’s largest AD operator, processed more than 600,000 tonnes of food waste in 2024, generating enough electricity to power over 30,000 homes for a year.

BioteCH4 highlighted the environmental benefits of AD compared with traditional Energy-from-Waste disposal. When food waste is processed through AD rather than incinerated, greenhouse gases are captured and converted into biogas and renewable energy, which is injected into the national grid. The remaining digestate is recycled to farmland, supporting sustainable food production.

Starting in Spring 2026, BioteCH4 will collect food waste daily from three transfer stations across Staffordshire for up to four years. The company will work closely with councils introducing food waste collections for the first time, ensuring a smooth rollout and maximising recycling rates across the county.

Pamela Woolcock, Group Public Sector Lead at BioteCH4, said: “We’re delighted to have re-secured Newcastle-under-Lyme and are looking forward to extending our partnership with Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Having worked with Newcastle-under-Lyme for over two years, we’ve made great strides in raising awareness of food waste recycling. We would encourage other local authorities reviewing their procurement to engage with operators as soon as possible – we’re always happy to answer any questions.”

Emma Haynes, Head of Service at Staffordshire County Council, added: “Working with BioteCH4 in recent years, the company has shown itself to be an experienced and reliable waste operator. It performed well in the tendering process, and we look forward to continuing our partnership.”