The Cronulla Wastewater Treatment Plant has started a trial to turn food waste into renewable energy.
As AAP reports, a Sydney business will supply the plant with fruit and vegetable scraps sourced from local green grocers. Though waste water treatment uses a lot of power, it is expected the plant will be able to source more than 60 per cent of its energy needs from the waste.
Minister for Primary Industries, Lands and Water Niall Blair and Environment Minister Mark Speakman were on hand yesterday to launch the trial.
“The NSW Government is committed to finding new and better ways to lower the amount of electricity we use from the grid, not only to benefit the environment, but also to reduce operating costs of utilities and lower customers’ bills,” Blair said.
“This project is a great example of Sydney Water and local businesses working together to look outside the square to develop solutions to benefit the environment and the local community.
“Not only will the food waste help to generate renewable energy to power the Plant, it will also save 150,000 wheelie bins of fruit and vegetables per year from landfill – that’s 600 wheelie bins a day, five days a week.”
The three-year trial is jointly funded by Sydney Water and the Office of Environment and Heritage’s Sustainability Advantage Program.
“Fruit and vegetable waste which is typically driven many kilometres away for landfill will also now stay in Cronulla. This means fewer trucks travelling long distances and a saving of 90,000 kilometres each year,” said Speakman.