Biffa acquires 30,000-tonne garden and food waste composting facility

Biffa has today strengthened its organics business following the acquisition of a facility that transforms garden and food waste into compost.

The former Severn Trent Green Power ‘in-vessel’ composting site at Ardley in Oxfordshire processes up to 30,000 tonnes of co-mingled municipal organic and green waste each year.

Biffa has acquired the trade and assets of the business, including the plant, associated machinery and its employees.

The deal sees the growth of Biffa’s organics business and adds to its existing portfolio of composting sites in Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Somerset, The Isle of Wight and West Yorkshire, increasing its total processing capacity to 200,000 tonnes per year.

Click here for more on how Biffa creates products from waste and materials that have been recycled or recovered.

Mick Davis, Biffa’s Chief Operating Officer (Resources & Energy), said: “I’m delighted to announce the expansion of our composting footprint, which means we can offer the service to a wider range of customers. The ongoing move away from peat as a fertiliser means there will be increasing importance placed on substitute materials, and we hope to further develop in this market in the future.”

Among Biffa’s composting products is its peat-free Revive soil conditioner. It is made from 100% recycled organic and green waste, and is rated as PAS100, meaning it is safe, reliable and consistent.

It’s high in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and is perfect for improving soil conditions for crops, lawns, vegetables, shrubs and flowers. It improves drainage on heavy clay ground and retains moisture in sandy soil.

A Severn Trent Green Power spokesperson said: "We're pleased to conclude the sale of the Ardley IVC site to Biffa, whose track record of operation in the comingled waste market not only secures the long-term future of the site but also that of our team working there, who will be retained as part of the sale."