FEATURE
disposal equipment, the challenge
was set to extend the brief so as to,
environmentally, close the loop.
Working with Imperial College,
London; a project was undertaken to
identify options for disposal of food
waste and HMP Morton Hall set in
large grounds, with a degree of
farming activity already existing
provided the ideal location for the
field-based research.
SO HOW DID THIS WORK?
Well, rather than macerate and
send the food waste immediately to
drain, the waste is passed through a
de-waterer, in order to extract solid
particles from the liquid waste.
Then whilst the resultant grey
water is allowed to disperse to drain
FOOD WASTE -
S
ustainable procurement is not changing
just about buying products that production and
seem to be green, claim to be consumption
friendlier and less harmful to patterns levels of AN END TO THE PROBLEM
the environment from suppliers BMW are increasing
that declare to be the eco- at alarming rates.
warriors of their industry. At Buying And the knock on effect here is that with no the solid fraction is captured in small, easily
Solutions our commitment to sustainable new landfill sites being allowed, existing handled, lidded waste collection bins which
procurement is to embed sustainability as a sites filling up quickly, and increasing are then placed outside the kitchen.
natural part of the procurement process. landfill charges; the only outcome will be At this stage of the process, the waste
This entails becoming involved, seeking out rising bills to dispose
innovation, encouraging suppliers and the of one’s food waste.
supply chain to participate and promote Therefore, any
positive involvement across the full organisation that
sustainability spectrum. generates food
For example; Since Foot & Mouth waste is facing a
disease in the UK a few years ago, mammoth disposal
Government legislation has dictated, problem; particularly
through the Animal By-Products Regulations larger catering
(ABPR), that any food waste which has been establishments such
in contact with meat must be disposed of to as those at
landfill or incineration. And apart from the hospitals, schools,
obvious issues associated to landfill and universities, Ministry
incineration there are in addition matters of of Defence
collection, transportation and disposal costs sites...and prisons.
- all of which fuel global warming - not just However, all is
from transport emissions but also through not bad news. HMP
landfill gases, notably carbon dioxide and Morton Hall saw this
methane, which are amongst the worst as a challenge and
offenders in their contribution to an opportunity to
climate change. reap many rewards.
In addition, the UK Government has Through our
committed to meeting stringent targets in framework
reducing the amount of biodegradable agreement supplier
municipal waste (BMW), which includes IMC, who already
food waste, being disposed of to landfill. provides a full range
But not only are these targets getting of kitchen waste
tougher; through increasing population and handling and
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SUSTAINABLE FM | NOVEMBER 2007
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