Anaerobic digestion is the ‘way forward’ for waste disposal, according to minister for waste, Joan Ruddock.

Ruddock was visiting an anaerobic digestion plant in Ludlow, Shropshire, part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ £30M new technologies demonstration programme.

The Ludlow partnership attributes some of its success to good communications with the local community, which has led to 70% of residents taking part in the voluntary food waste-collection scheme which has supplied the plant.

The minister said: ‘Anaerobic digestion is extremely attractive. Why would we go on throwing food waste into holes in the ground when we could generate our own electricity and end up with a product that can be returned to the soil? While the decision has to be taken locally, I am sure this is the way forward.’

DEFRA is now making a further £10M available for a programme to test the full range of applications and benefits of anaerobic digestion.