A new state-of-the-art food waste plant, using the anaerobic digestion (AD) process, has opened at Deerdykes near Glasgow. The facility which is operated by Scottish Water Horizons will recycle food waste into sources of renewable energy.

The new facility is the largest organics recycling facility in Scotland and can recycle 30,000 tonnes of food waste annually which can be converted into 8,000 megawatt hours of green energy each year. This is enough electricity to power up to 2,000 homes and provide heat which could be used in district heating schemes for local homes and businesses.

Another by-product of the process is a nutrient rich digestate which can be used as a fertiliser to improve soil so reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.

Chris Banks, Scottish Water's Commercial Director and Chairman of Horizons, said: "This new plant shows we're leading the way not just on renewable energy but in helping Scotland towards its ambition of zero waste."

Scotland's Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead praised the company for being a leader in organic recycling and renewable energy. He said: "As part of our Zero Waste Plan, we aim to recycle 70 per cent of all waste by 2025, with just five per cent landfilled.

He added, "As well as encouraging the reduction and recycling of waste, a zero waste society is about transforming it into a valuable resource." "This is a greatly impressive facility and I congratulate Horizons Environment for being at the forefront of organic recycling and renewable energy."

The facility received a grant of £1.7 million from Zero Waste Scotland.