The Wasters Blog » anaerobic digestion

EU Awareness of Food and Garden Waste Management Benefits Increases

waster — Thu, 06 May 2010 13:02:52 +0000

Potential new bio-waste legislation – food and garden waste benefits exemplified

Introducing ambitious Europe-wide targets for the separate collection of both food and garden waste could offer environmental and cost benefits worth more than €7billion (£6 billion) between 2013 and 2020, according to a report published as part of the European Commission’s work on potential new EU bio-waste legislation.

The study, entitled ‘Assessment of the options to improve the management of bio-waste in the EU’ was published earlier this year with little fanfare by consultants ARCADIS and Eunomia, to look at the relative benefits and costs of various potential policy measures to deal with bio-degradable waste.

It emerged as the European Parliament’s environment committee is set to consider a draft report this week (April 28) drawn up by one of its members that urges the European Commission to develop proposals for a specific bio-waste directive by the end of 2010.

This could provide renewed momentum for supporters of separate legislation on bio-waste, in the face of recent indications that the Commission did not wish to pursue a legislative proposal.

The consultants’ report concluded that, in all cases where separate targets for collecting the two waste streams were included, there would be a “significant” net benefit to society. The benefit would be increased even further if the food waste was treated using anaerobic digestion (AD), due to the reduced greenhouse gas emissions that brings, it added.

It compares the approach with a ‘baseline’ scenario which assumes EU member states meet the targets for diverting waste from landfill set by the EU Landfill Directive, including a “minimum quantity” of treatment of bio-waste to reach this goal.

The targets outlined in the report as a “high ambition” scenario are 60% for food waste and 90% for green waste to be reached by 2020, with all garden waste above a 2006 baseline level being treated using in-vessel composting and food waste being sent for either IVC or AD.

The report also claimed that there were longer term benefits from providing additional treatment of bio-waste, explaining that: “The additional treatment of source separated bio-waste develops a significant annual benefit to society from 2020 onwards.

“This is of great importance since, given that nearly 40% of the total benefit occurs in 2020, the continued benefits, beyond the period modelled in this study, will remain significant,” it added.

The report is intended to support the Commission’s continuing work on potentially developing a separate legislative proposal for bio-waste, such as a possible ‘Bio-waste Directive’.

A green paper looking at future options for managing bio-waste in the European Union was published by the Commission in December 2008, raising hopes that a separate legislative proposal could be brought forward.

Read the full news items at Organics Recycling.

Tags: bio-waste, green waste, Composting, garden waste management, eu landfill directive

Draft Implementation Plan Published by Anaerobic Digestion Task Group

waster — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:40:38 +0000

UK Government Department Defra’s Anaerobic Digestion Task Group has published a draft Implementation Plan outlining the steps it believes government and industry stakeholders need to do take to achieve a major increase in uptake of the technology.

The plan identifies areas including infrastructure, technology and regulation as priorities for action. It contains 46 recommendations, including:

• Developing an economic framework to encourage use of digestate as soil conditioner and fertiliser and biogas as a fuel
• Developing new feed-in tariffs for small scale renewable energy generation and renewable heat incentives
• Finalising the standard and Quality Protocol for digestate
• Continuing to improve knowledge of anaerobic digestion (AD) technology and prioritising research and development
• Increasing awareness and understanding of AD among developers, investors, customers and those involved in planning.

The aim of the recommendations in the report is to deliver the ambitions for anaerobic digestion set out in the Defra report ‘Anaerobic Digestion – Shared Goals’ published earlier this year.

Waste and recycling minister Dan Norris welcomed the publication said the government planned to respond to the recommendations in the document later this year.

And, speaking to letsrecycle. com about the Plan, the Task Group chair Steve Lee of CIWM explained that the body was now seeking input from AD stakeholders, although he added that this would not be a formal consultation process.

He also wants to see some commitment from the sector towards the proposals. He said: “It is a draft implementation plan and we want to get it out into the real world and get a range of people to look at it and comment on it.”

The task group is open to receiving feedback on the document until 9 September and a final plan is due for publication in the autumn.

Mr Lee added: “Some actions will be easy to deliver and some will take years but if it was a quick win plan it would not be worth very much. It will help further the take-up of anaerobic digestion.”

The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has set up a forum to allow for easy communication between stakeholders about the Plan and provide a platform for feedback to the task group.

Dr Richard Swannell, director of retail & organics at WRAP added: “The Draft Implementation Plan has made some key recommendations which will stimulate the rapid development of the Anaerobic Digestion industry in the UK. Source: Association for Organics Recycling.

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Biomethane From Landfill Gas Gets Big Thumbs Up From Waste Management Inc

waster — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:42:32 +0000

Waste Management Inc. Discusses World’s Largest Landfill Gas To Fuel Plant

As start-up on the world’s largest plant to convert landfill gas into clean vehicle fuel nears completion, joint venture partners Linde North America and Waste Management have begun to share details of the project. The companies are installing systems at WM’s Altamont Landfill near Livermore, CA that will purify and liquefy landfill gas, a renewable source of biomethane fuel. When the $15. 5 million plant begins operating later this year, it is designed to produce up to 13,000 gallons a day of liquefied natural gas (LNG) that could fuel hundreds of waste collection vehicles.

Bryan Luftglass, Manager of Anaerobic Digestion process partner Linde North America’s Energy Segment said, “Biomethane is a truly renewable and readily available green source of high quality fuel.”

Although it is still an emerging commodity, its economic and environmental value is rapidly being recognized.” Kent Stoddard, Vice President of Public Affairs for Waste Management’s West Group also commented saying, “Waste Management’s partnership with Linde will allow us to tap into a valuable source of clean energy while greatly reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.

Natural gas is already the cleanest burning fuel available for our collection trucks and the opportunity to use recovered landfill gas offers enormous environmental benefits to the communities we serve.”

SOURCE: Waste Management, Inc.
Tags: Waste Management Inc, biomethane, landfill gas, clean vehicle fuel, Linde

New Video Explains the AD Process

waster — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:48:22 +0000

At present more than 65% of all Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generated in England is disposed of in landfills.

The introduction of the EC landfill directive means that the European Commission has set targets to reduce the levels of biodegradable materials going to landfill.

The most significant challenge facing the management of Municipal Solid Waste is how to divert the biodegradable component of MSW away from landfills. Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) is the fraction that will break down naturally in the environment, and it is the content within the rubbish that goes into landfills which causes the nuisance smalls and attracts birds etc.

This organic waste includes: kitchen wastes, green or garden wastes, paper, cork and non man-made textiles (eg cotton and wool). The need to reduce the levels of biodegradable materials going to landfill is based on concerns over greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

The decomposition of biodegradable materials within landfill sites results in the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. One of the best options for dealing with the biodegradable fraction of municipal solid waste is Anaerobic Digestion.

It is a natural process. It is simply rotting or composting in the absence of air. The magic is though that it produces methane, and methane is a raw product which can be sued to make biofuels including bio-diesel, and many others.

It costs a bit more than composting or disposal to landfill but the benefits are tremendous. Visit our anaerobic digestion web site and view our VIDEO which in just over 5 minutes explains how the process works.

If you don’t believe us about this then listen to the BBC Radio 4′s long-running soap, the “Archers” in which there is, at present, a storyline about AD.
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Renewable Energy ’07 – Last Chance to Book NCE Conference London

waster — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 13:35:06 +0000

We are well into the conference season and frankly we have never seen so many renewable energy events and conferences as this season. It seems that all the major event players will soon have their own offering.

This is a very last minute opportunity for booking attendance for the NCE (New Civil Engineer magazine/EMap) 1 day conference.

The following is the publicity material issued by the organiser, See it for yourself and make your booking at:

http://www.ncerenewables.co.uk/

In response to the need to reduce CO2 emissions, investment in renewable energy is at an all time high. The EU has recently declared an initiative for renewable energy sources to meet 20% of Europe’s energy demands by 2020. London boroughs are also well under way in implementing the 10% Merton rule. The industry must therefore get to grips with working with renewables as they become ever more prevalent and even a necessity in the UK. Attending Renewable Energy ‘07 will help you to meet this challenge.

This conference aims to equip engineers and anyone else involved with renewable energy with the information that they need to take full advantage of this vibrant and rapidly expanding sector. Tackle policy and technical issues and meet the key players in renewables who are driving the sector forward.

Reasons to attend:

Benefit from valuable advice on best practice in planning and practical information about using microgeneration to power and heat developments
Discover what the future holds for policy and the technological innovations that will drive renewables forward
Learn about the latest developments in wind and ‘wet’ renewables and how these will affect the engineering community
Take advantage of a detailed case study on Dontang, the Chinese sustainable city, providing essential information for those working with renewables on a macro or micro level
Assess how renewables compare against each other and other forms of energy in terms of cost and efficiency

Who should attend:

Engineering firms
Construction companies
Utility companies
Architectural practices
Local authorities and regional assemblies
Environmental and planning consultancies
Product manufacturers and suppliers
Environmental groups
Anyone with an interest in the policy, planning and implementation of renewable energy sources.

This conference has been heavily promoted to UK Chartered Civil Engineers in their free magazine NCE. This magazine is the general civil engineering news magazine and is posted weekly to every member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Therefore, you can expect a good sized contingent of engineers at this event.

Apart from a number of general presentations on the subject, the agenda includes presentations on microgeneration, and small scale heating (as in CHP), but as far as I can see from their handout, there are no papers specifically about Anaerobic Digestion.

Considering the fact that in the 2007 Energy White Paper the UK Government is planning to up the ROCs payment level for this technology (at the expense of wind energy even), and many waste disposal authorites are actively developing AD projects now, this is unfortunate – not to say a huge omission! Those poor civil engineers are going to be missing out on AD… What a shame! Go to the conference though. I am sure it will be good.
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New ArrowBio MBT & Anaerobic Digestion Facility Project Starts

waster — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 23:45:06 +0000

In July 2007, Oaktech Environmental signed a contract with Avondale Environmental Ltd. to commence the Design Development of a 70,000 tonnes per annum ArrowBio facility at the Avondale Landfill Site in Falkirk, Scotland.

The ArrowBio process is described as a unique, water-based mechanical-biological treatment for solid waste, which includes anaerobic digestion stages.

ArrowBio’s strengths are stated as residing in its unique ability to reclaim resources for recycling and produce green energy from the biodegradable residues through simple, flexible and effective design.

Avondale Environmental, who own and operate the Avondale landfill in the Falkirk area just off junction 4 of the M9 motorway, have chosen ArrowBio as their preferred technology partner for the development of a processing facility for treating mixed waste from both household and commercial sources. Waste will be diverted from landfill with recyclable materials recovered and renewable electricity generated for supply to the national grid.

Upon completion of the Design Development phase, the construction of the Plant will take 16 months, subject to receiving the necessary consent. This will provide nearby Local Authorities with the opportunity of moving some way towards landfill diversion targets required by the EU Landfill Directive.

Following on from this success, Oaktech Environmental, distributors of the ArrowBio process in the UK & Eire, in collaboration with Monsal Ltd., UK market leader for the provision of advanced anaerobic digestion and biogas related technology, will be jointly exhibiting at the RWM Exhibition, NEC Birmingham on 11th – 13th September.

Do visit them at Stand 1100 for details on how they will be working together to deliver the ArrowBio Falkirk project, as well as for updates on other of their projects currently underway in London and Northern Ireland.

To find out more about the RWM Exhibition go to: www.rwminfo.com.

You can also visit their web site at http://www.oaktech-environmental.com/ and http://www.monsal.com/ for further information and regular updates.
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CIWM Events in Waste Processing During September

waster — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 22:07:31 +0000

THERMAL TREATMENT- SATISFYING DIVERSION TARGETS AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION
Monday 17 September 2007 at Hamilton House, London. For further details please visit http://www.ciwmconferences.com or contact the events department at events@ciwm.co.uk Tel. 01604 620426.

GET YOUR ROCs OFF WITH AD!
Tuesday 25 September 2007 at Hilton National Hotel, Coventry. For further details please visit www.ciwmconferences.com or contact the events department at events@ciwm.co.uk Tel. 01604 620426. For details of exhibition space and sponsorship opportunities contact jenni@compost.org.uk Tel. 0870 1603270
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WRAP Re-Issue Alternate Weekly Collection Scheme Guidance

waster — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 22:18:22 +0000

There has been nothing as contentious for a long while in the Waste Management scene as alternate weekly collection schemes (AWCS). So it is interesting to note the new guidance: Waster

WRAP have re-issued their guidance on alternate weekly collection schemes. Included within the revised guidance is a suggestion that to meet Landfill Directive requirements it will be necessary to deal with food waste. The best way to do this the guidance suggests is through a weekly collection of food waste and to process it either through composting or preferably through processes like Anaerobic Digestion. Download the .pdf here.
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Combined Anaerobic Digestion/In Vessel Composting Plant Announced for Northamptonshire

waster — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 21:57:02 +0000

A newly established organics company has announced this week that it will be opening a composting facility in Northamptonshire next April which will combine anaerobic digestion and in-vessel composting.

The Bio Group, which formed this May as a joint venture between in-vessel specialists Cambridge Recycling Services (CRS), composting machinery providers Global Recycling Solutions as well as green waste and wood processors Material Change; has begun construction for a 30,000 tonne per annum facility in the village of Helmdon in the south of the county. (see letsrecycle.com story)

The “hybrid” system: Steve Sharratt, chief executive of the Bio Group, explained that having both technologies in one facility will allow the company to simultaneously treat source segregated food waste in the IVC and food waste in paper, cardboard or plastic packaging in the AD.

The building to be converted to the Waste Reception Building AD Process Building with the area for the IVC tunnels on the left.

The system will also mean that the solid digestate – one of the end products of the AD process which needs treating before it can be safely spread onto land- can be treated onsite in the IVC, then composted in windrows.

The Bio Group revealed it has “agreements in place to ensure the compost produced by both processes will be used to improve local farmland” and that it is looking at how the site can achieve the quality standard, PAS100 for the compost.

As for the energy produced by the AD process, Bio Group has confirmed that it will be used to power the site and that the surplus will be fed into the national grid. See more at Let’s Recycle.
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NCE: Peterborough City Council Will Announce New Approach to Financing Waste

waster — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:28:21 +0000

We are told (New Civil Engineer 24 may 2007) that Peterborough City Council has plans to announce a new approach to financing which it has devised with the Collaborative Working Centre. This will include financing models for a new £56 million energy from waste (EfW) incinerator.

It appears that two facilities are to be built in the town. The EfW incinerator and an anaerobic digestion plant, wth the anaerobic digestion plant due to open first in 2009, followed by the Incinerator by 2011.

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