Amy, Food Partnership Coordinator (centre of photo) recently joined a visit to Warrens Emerald Bio-Capital in Newton Aycliffe, where they convert commercial food waste (e.g. from local public caterers, schools, hospitals and businesses), into renewable energy, biofertiliser for farming and biomethane gas. The biomethane produced is injected into the local Gas Grid, helping to heat local homes and businesses as a renewable alternative to natural gas.
Amy has organised a tour and food waste discussion for 10-12 Tuesday 16th September. Perhaps your business or organisation's food waste is processed here and you want to find out more about what happens to it? We'll visit the reception hall where waste is received and see the pasteurisation process, pot digesters and the byproducts. Nick who works on site will be leading the tour and there will be lots of time for questions and discussion. Whilst the walking tour will last 40 minutes, please allow 2 hours for the visit as it would be good to discuss County Durham's food waste when we regroup in the portacabin.
Visitors will be required to sign a disclaimer upon arrival and a safety briefing will be provided. Full PPE will be required, including steel toe capped boots, helmets and eye protection. You're welcome to bring your own or let me know if you'd need to borrow some and I'll check what we have available. High vis and latex gloves will be provided or you can bring your own. Long sleeves must also be worn.
Unfortunately, the site is not wheelchair accessible. As it is a working site, only adults are permitted and numbers are strictly limited. Whilst there is some odour, it's not an offensive smell like landfill. If anyone is particularly sensitive to smells or might feel nauseous seeing food waste on a large scale - we can move away from that zone. It really wasn't as smelly as I thought it might be but it can depend on what food has been brought in as it can be abattoir waste which is particularly smelly.
Sign up by emailing: amy.m@oases.org.uk
