Food waste next to had picking up soil

Food & green waste processing 

Using anaerobic digesters, Biffa generates renewable bio-methane from food and green waste we receive. Anaerobic digestion technology generates biogas used to power our sites and any surplus is diverted to the national grid.

What is anaerobic digestion?

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a sustainable process where organic matter, such as food or plant waste, is broken down by micro-organisms called methanogens in the absence of oxygen. This creates biogas (a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide) which we can use as a source of energy. 

This process also creates a bio-fertiliser by-product. This is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and other elements, and can be used in agriculture or horticulture as liquid fertiliser, or even animal bedding, as part of the circular economy.

 

We receive and process 315kT of bulk food waste annually

We accept large volumes of food waste bulked into an artic
Our anaerobic digestion site at Poplars, Cannock is easily accessible
We operate 24/7 and are open 7 days a week
We offer competitive rates
We can take smaller volumes of food waste at our food waste transfer stations
Anaerobic digestion process at Biffa's energy from waste plant
Investing to tackle food waste
The UK generates around 19 million tonnes of food waste per year. We have invested £24 million in our flagship AD plant, Poplars in Cannock, to help divert as much as possible to be recycled or reused. It is the most efficient AD plant in the UK, generating up to 6.5m MW of electricity – enough to power 15,0000 homes. 
Incineration process at Biffa's energy from waste plant
Biodegradable waste from Mechanical & Biological Treatment (MBT)
Mechanical and Biological Treatment is not a single technology. It is a combination of sorting and treatment technologies, to help increase the amount of ‘black bag’ waste sent to AD to generate energy, and residual waste used to create Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF).

At our MBT facility in Horsham waste is shredded and then sorted into biodegradable waste, metals, or paper and plastic. Metal is sent on for recycling. Shredded paper and plastic is used to produce Refuse Derived Fuel. And the biodegradable waste is broken down by Anaerobic Digestion.
Digger moving soil
Green waste composting in just 12 weeks
Biffa’s composting service takes green waste to be shredded and treated to produce compost and a soil improver, all in just 12 weeks. We use two forms of composting - (1) open windrow composting and (2) in-vessel composting. Batches are sampled regularly to evaluate the nutrient levels and make sure the product is suitable for specific soil types and crops. 

Our services help local authorities, as well as other commercial organisations, dispose of their green waste in a safe and efficient way. 

Our food and green waste processing facilities

  • Anaerobic Digestion

    Poplars

    Cannock, Staffordshire

  • Mechanical & Biological Treatment

    Brookhurst Wood

    Horsham, West Sussex

  • Composting

    Walpole

    Somerset

    Dimmer

    Somerset

    Priorswood

    Somerset

    Skelton Grange

    Yorkshire

    Standen Heath

    Isle of Wight

    Etwall

    Derbyshire

    Ufton

    Warwickshire

Find out more about our range of food and green waste services

Whether you are a licensed waste carrier collecting food or green waste, a local authority providing food and / or green waste collection services for residents, or a business generating food or green waste, we can help. Let us know what interests you and one of our team will be in touch.
Make an enquiry

Need good quality compost?

If you produce large amounts of food and green waste get in touch to see how we can support. Alternatively if you're interested in our by-products including PAS certified compost and fertiliser find out more below.
Compost & fertiliser
Get in touch