Whitbread rolls out recycling scheme
Whitbread it is to roll out an innovative food waste recycling scheme to more than 300 of its hotels and restaurants this year.
The company is believed to be the first pub restaurant operator to use anaerobic digestion recycling, a method which sees waste materials broken down by microorganisms, which is then transformed into green electricity and biofertiliser for local crops.
This is widely recognised as one of the best methods for the sustainable management of food waste and has a dramatic impact in reducing greenhouse gases and carbon emissions.
The company is using anaerobic digestion, a method which sees waste materials broken down by microorganisms, which is then transformed into green electricity and biofertiliser for local crops.
The scheme will save more than 2,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year — the equivalent of taking 750 cars off the road.
Waste from the pub operator's brands, which includes Taybarns, Table Table and Beefeater Grill, will be processed into renewable energy by specialist company BiogenGreenfinch.
"Whitbread are leading the hospitality industry's drive towards improving sustainable performance," said Whitbread waste and recycling manager Alexandra Glenn.
"One of our key targets is to achieve 80% of waste diverted from landfill from our hotels and restaurants by February 2012 and this will help us achieve that target with ease."
The waste will be used to create renewable energy instead of going to landfill.
Richard Barker, chief executive, BiogenGreenfinch said, "Anaerobic digestion is the greenest win for the commercial food industry.
"We applaud Whitbread for leading the way in its sector in diverting food waste from landfill and seeing it instead as a resource to create renewable energy."
