A research project turning food waste into energy could see wastewater treatment plants become bio-generators of the future.
Sydney Water is adding food waste to sewage at its Shellharbour Wastewater Treatment Plant, as part of a research project with the University of Wollongong.
Benefits of adding food waste to the wastewater treatment process include:
- less food waste going to landfill, which helps to reduce greenhouse emissions
- lower operating costs at the plant, which will keep water bills low for customers.
The first stage of the waste-to-energy project is turning waste from the production of drinks into additional energy through a co-digestion process.
Minister for Energy and Utilities Don Harwin said the project was turning beer, wine and soft drink waste into power for NSW homes and businesses.
“Projects like this could make even more savings possible in the future,” Mr Harwin said.