Council steps up food takeaway service
Waste collectors are using the green energy boom to generate money from food waste.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is set to approve the award of a contract that will see it paid for collecting food waste from the kerbside, which can be used to power anaerobic digestion plants.
These plants convert the organic waste into renewable energy and the current boom in energy prices means there is a market for food scraps.
David Hutchison, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council's Cabinet member for Sustainable Environment, said:
In 2010 we were one of the first authorities in the country to separately collect food waste and now we are at the forefront again, reacting to changing circumstances for the benefit of taxpayers and the environment.
We will look to increase participation in separate food recycling, targeting flats and commercial premises, because it’s both the right thing to do and the income generated helps offset the costs of other work.”
The authority is part of the Staffordshire Sustainability Board, chaired by Newcastle Borough Council Leader Simon Tagg.
Staffordshire’s eight borough and district councils are working together on the contract to get the best deal for taxpayers.
Cllr Tagg, who also leads on environmental matters for Staffordshire County Council, said:
Acting now, jointly, while the market is in this state makes a lot of sense financially.
It’s environmentally friendly, cost-effective and provides a return to local council to set against the cost of providing services.”