Setting an example with green scheme (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Setting an example with green scheme

8:32am Wednesday 22nd July 2009 in News By Helen Mead

Around one-third of all food in the UK ends up being wasted – that’s more than 6.5 million tonnes per year.

In some parts of the country, much is being done to address that, with Yorkshire playing a key role in helping to reduce the amount of food waste sent to landfill. It is thanks to a scheme that offers a green alternative – a commercial food waste collection scheme that is taking off across the county, with Bradford being one of the main players.

Bradford is one of the highest producers of food and drink waste in Yorkshire and efforts are being made to raise awareness of a scheme run by composting specialist TEG Environmental that is already benefiting a number of firms in the district.

Since its launch last year, companies have used a separate 240-litre wheelie bin exclusively for food waste and some paper waste including paper towels, which TEG collects on a designated day and transports to its state-of-the- art commercial composting sites at Todmorden and Preston.

There, the food waste is mixed with garden waste before being fed into a composting system. It is then left to mature and sold for agricultural, horticultural and domestic uses.

A diverse range of companies use the system including restaurants, hotels, offices, schools and colleges.

For Yorkshire Building Society’s busy staff restaurant at its Rooley Lane headquarters, segregating the food proved easy. “We’ve had no problems at all, says head chef Lynn McGlinchey, whose staff serve up to 1,200 meals each day. “The team has put as much effort as possible into diverting the food waste to the composting bins instead of the general waste bins. Special bins have been placed around the kitchen to make the process as easy as possible.”

“It is brilliant,” says Alison James environmental and energy co-ordinator for YBS. “I went to Todmorden with a colleague a few weeks ago and watched the process – it is all so natural, and it was great to see the finished product coming out at the other end.”

Thanks to funding from Resource Efficiency Yorkshire – a business support and development programme funded by Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund – the free business waste exchange Why Waste, (part of Bradford Environmental Action Trust), is working with TEG to promote the project.

Local firms already benefiting from the service – which also runs across Lancashire – include Bradford’s Love Apple Café, the Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford College, and 25 local schools. Zouk restaurant in Leeds Road, Bradford, was one of the first to sign up.

“Most of our food waste, such as rice, naan, tomatoes, okra and meat, is put in a separate bin,” says owner Amjad Bashir. “The staff have been trained to separate everything – they have to be very disciplined. We make sure the bins are properly used.”

Initially the restaurant used one bin, now they have two, and collections have increased from once to twice a week. “We are generating less waste to be landfilled,” says Amjad, whose second restaurant in the city, Kebabeesh in Greengates, is also part of the scheme.

“Bradford is well-known for its restaurants and takeaways – people come from all over the country to eat here. We have to act responsibly with any waste and try hard not to send it to landfill. We are all aware of what is happening to the planet. We are blessed to have our world and if we are not careful, we will end up contributing to its demise.”

Food and drink project manager at REY, Alison Kahumbura, pinpoints Bradford as setting an example.

She adds: “We have had a very positive response to the scheme from customers, and we are aiming to get 80 businesses in Bradford and the surrounding areas to sign up,” she says.

“This will reduce the cost of waste management for food-related businesses. It will also provide materials that will be turned into compost which will be used in the Bradford district.

“This initiative means that Bradford is taking the lead on resource efficiency in the food sector. It is setting a great example to other regions and will benefit economically and environmentally.”

The compost produced is well-used by arable and grassland farmers both locally and further afield. It provides vital nutrients for plant growth, and increases organic matter in the soil.

“As well as improving quality finish on crops such as potatoes, it increases yields on maize, cereals, oilseed rape and vegetable and salad crops.

Rosie McTiernan, BEAT waste coordinator says: “We are trying to encourage more businesses to join the scheme, which is extremely important from an environmental point of view. The composted waste is going back to the farmers to help grow more crops and is being diverted from landfill.”

For every tonne of food waste diverted from landfill into composting, there is a saving of 223kg of CO2 – which equates to five weeks’ travel in an average car – as well as cost savings.

Says TEG’s commercial director Jayne Pierre: “The Government has said that landfill taxes will double by 2010. Removing food waste for the general waste bin and sending it for composting should prove a more cost-effective option than landfill for most companies.”