Anaerobic digestion
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a treatment that decomposes biodegradable waste (feedstock) in the absence of oxygen, producing a biogas. This biogas is made up of around 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide. This can then be burnt to generate heat or electricity or can be used as a vehicle fuel.
Both Methane and Carbon Dioxide gases are green house gases which contribute to global climate change, with methane being approximately 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
Producing renewable energy from biodegradable waste using AD helps tackle climate change as well as diverting waste away from land fill and incineration.
Almost any organic material can be processed with AD, including, waste paper and cardboard (which is of too low a grade to recycle, e.g. because of food contamination), grass clippings, leftover food, industrial effluents, sewage and animal waste.
Access to sufficient quantities of the appropriate feedstock is crucial when considering AD.
