UK's largest waste food handling plant opens

Waste specialist Biffa of the UK has launched its anaerobic digestion (AD) food waste-handling plant near Cannock, Staffordshire.

The new facility will process up to 120,000 tonnes of food waste sources from households and businesses every year, making it the largest of its kind in the nation. This leftover food will be converted into enough renewable energy to power 6,000 homes.

Speaking at the plant launch, Biffa's CEO Ian Wakelin said: 'This is the future of waste. It is taking food that could once only be sent to landfill and turning it into something of value on a truly industrial scale. It is a key milestone in society's drive to reduce waste, cut emissions and recover the inherent value in our waste.'

The Cannock facility is the latest in a long line of commitments from Biffa to handle more of the UK's food waste. The most recent project follows on from the launch of its National Food Waste Recycling Service for businesses earlier in the year.

Ian Wakelin adds: 'We all want to recycle more. It is initiatives like this which allow us to do so with minimum effect on our day to day lives at home or at work.'