500% increase in UK food waste recycled by AD

1.6 MILLION tonnes of food waste are now being recycled by anaerobic digestion (AD) – a 500% increase from the 0.3-0.4 million tonnes recycled in 2010.

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The figures come from the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresource’s Association 2015 Market Report published this week.

 

The sector has shown rapid growth – there are now 400 AD plants in operation and 60-100 new plants are likely to be commissioned in 2015.

 

The sector has the potential to deliver 30% of the UK’s domestic gas demand and reduce the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 4%.

 

However, waste policy in England is holding up investment, and policy uncertainty for future funding for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) after April 2016 could slow growth in the sector.