Food Waste Crisis
The UK produces nearly 500 million tonnes of waste each year with municipal and commercial waste accounting for well over 100m tonnes.
European Union Directives are driving new Government strategies and imposing strict measures to divert certain types of waste (especially biodegradable food chain waste) from landfill and increase the use of recycling.
In the UK a target has been set to, by 2013, reduce the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill by 8 million tonnes.
The problem with biodegradable waste going to landfill is that on degradation it releases methane and carbon dioxide. Both of these gases are major contributors to global warming, the breakdown of the ozone layer and climate changes, however, methane is 22 times more damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide.
Landfill capacities are nearly reached and new site options are extremely limited. These landfill sites also carry the risk of land and water pollution, noise and visual pollution and the potential attraction of vermin.
European Union Directives are driving new Government strategies and imposing strict measures to divert certain types of waste (especially biodegradable food chain waste) from landfill and increase the use of recycling.
In the UK a target has been set to, by 2013, reduce the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill by 8 million tonnes.
The problem with biodegradable waste going to landfill is that on degradation it releases methane and carbon dioxide. Both of these gases are major contributors to global warming, the breakdown of the ozone layer and climate changes, however, methane is 22 times more damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide.
Landfill capacities are nearly reached and new site options are extremely limited. These landfill sites also carry the risk of land and water pollution, noise and visual pollution and the potential attraction of vermin.
