The Ludlow biodigester has just celebrated its first year in operation and in that time, more than 500 tonnes of food waste from local homes went to feed it.
Weekly collections from blue bins have become part of the town’s way of life.
South Shropshire District Councillor Nick Barclay, lead member for the environment, said: “Householders have commented that now that food waste can be separated into its own kitchen mini-bin they can see how much is being wasted.
“This makes them aware of how much food they are throwing away, and they tell us are now more selective with their weekly shopping.
“Recent published figures suggest that for every four bags of shopping that a household buys, the equivalent of one bagful of food will be thrown away.”
Councillor Rosanna Taylor-Smith added: “By using the weekly food waste collection system, Ludlow householders are able to see how much waste they produce and alter their buying habits accordingly.
“Even though there will always be food waste to deal with, the residents of Ludlow can be proud of their efforts in diverting food waste away from landfill sites where it would be contributing to greenhouse gases.”
Michael Chesshire of Biocycle South Shropshire Ltd, which operates the biodigester, said: “Ludlow has shown itself to be at the forefront of pioneering work in the weekly collection of food waste and its recycling into electricity and biofertiliser through the process of anaerobic digestion.
“In a period when there are major concerns about energy prices, energy security, food prices and food security as well as climate change, the biodigester is proving its credentials as a local, low-carbon technology. Biocycle looks forward to another successful year with its demonstrator project and is very appreciative of the positive involvement from households in Ludlow.”
The biodigester project has show on average that Ludlow households throw away 2.5kg of food waste each week. This adds up to 572 tonnes per year being diverted away from landfill. Sixty four of the town’s businesses are also using a free food waste collection service, which takes 62.5kg per business per week, a total of 200 tonnes a year.
