Anaerobic Digestion Is Huge Economic Opportunity for UK, ADBA Tells Treasury

by Jon Harrison (Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association) ADBA Chief Executive Charlotte Morton has this week written to Robert Jenrick MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, outlining the economic and environmental benefits of AD. Highlighting the benefits it can bring in renewable heat and power (in the form of biogas), clean transport fuel, and natural fertiliser.

In her letter, Charlotte set out the case for rollout of universal food waste collections in England to replicate the improvement in food waste recycling rates seen in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland as the result of a similar policy. As well as helping to divert food waste away from environmentally damaging landfill or incineration, the National Infrastructure Commission has estimated that introducing universal food waste collections in England would save local authorities up to £400 million in capital costs and £1.1 billion in operational costs between 2020 and 2050.

Charlotte also reiterated AD’s contribution to the goals set out in the government’s Industrial Strategy, designed to reinvigorate the UK’s manufacturing sector, and highlighted how AD can play a central role in new sector deals for agritech (through helping farmers to reducing their emissions) and the growing bioeconomy.

If it meets its full potential, the UK AD industry could meet 30% of the UK’s household gas or electricity demand and create around 35,000 jobs, mainly in rural areas where AD plants tend to be located. AD also improves energy security and soil quality, both major government policy objectives, through producing home-grown renewable energy and a nutrient-rich natural fertiliser respectively. READ MORE