Nando`s plan to transform waste into energy

Client Case Study
Nando’s plan to transform
waste into energy
Client Overview
Business Benefits
Nando’s is famous for its passion for Peri-Peri chicken and has
developed rapidly to become a recognisable presence on most
high streets across the UK. When Nando’s required advice on
sustainable ways of disposing of their food waste they came
to LCMB, experts in solving complex built estate problems.
Disposal of food waste using AD can result in a range of business
benefits such as:
In all but a few restaurants, Nando’s dispose of food waste
through their general waste stream which then goes to landfill
contributing to the generation of greenhouse gases. Nando’s
were naturally concerned about this impact and requested a
study to evaluate the feasibility and viability of using Anaerobic
Digestion (AD) as a means of improving their waste and energy
management across the group.
LCMB’s work for Nando’s formed two parts. The first was to define
the development of the AD market and explore the key factors
that will result in changes in this market. The second part advised
on opportunities specific to Nando’s for using the AD market to
improve their management of waste.
“LCMB delivered exactly what was asked for,
in language that was easy to understand
and with a clear depth of knowledge that
was invaluable in starting off this exciting
project. Nando’s look forward to working
with them again”
Julie Allen: Energy Manager,
Nando’s Chickenland
•
Sustainable food waste disposal sends the right message to your
customers. By communicating your activities in this area businesses
stand to benefit from increased customer appeal and an enhanced
perception as an environmentally responsible organisation.
•
Protection from the rising future cost of disposal to landfill. The costs
of disposal are increasing whereas costs for disposal via AD are falling.
•
Early involvement with AD will assist in securing the best commercial
relationships and a business continuity plan if there is to be a ban on
food waste to landfill.
•
By linking Combined Heat and Power to AD plants a low carbon
solution to generating heat and power can be delivered. Heat
generated in this way is not reported under the CRC Energy
Efficiency Scheme saving £12 per tonne of CO2 at current rates.
As a result of this initial work, Nando’s have a comprehensive
understanding of the benefits of food waste segregation.
The group are now taking the next steps to ensure that they are able to
provide a reliable stream of consistent quality food waste.
Do you need advice on how to manage your waste or on how to join
up your built estate environmental and cost performance? Then get
in touch for an informal chat or meeting to discuss how we can help
by calling Matt Whitehead on 01295 722823 or 07956 103508,
email matt@lcmb.co.uk or visit our website www.lcmb.co.uk.
Low Carbon Maintenance Ltd
Bloxham Mill, Barford Road, Bloxham, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 4FF
t. 01295 722823 | enquiries@lcmb.co.uk | www.lcmb.co.uk
Options for food waste management
Food waste is a large proportion of the waste stream in many
organisations but especially those with onsite catering such as
restaurants, higher education and hospitals. Whilst minimising
food waste should be the first priority, there will often be a
significant residual volume. Disposal to landfill will become more
costly and less acceptable over the coming decade, with many
commentators expecting this route to be banned. Disposing of
food waste in a sustainable way requires a change to back office
and facilities operations and the implications of the options may
not always be clear. This is a brief guide to the available options:
Landfill
Anaerobic Digestion (AD)
Composting
Autoclaving
What’s involved
Solid mixed waste collected and
buried in licensed sites where it
decomposes over time.
Specialist micro-organisms break
down food waste in the absence
of oxygen. Can be combined
with composting techniques.
Micro-organisms break down
food waste in the presence of
oxygen. In-Vessel Composting
(IVC) is well suited for food waste.
High pressure serialisation of
mixed waste by steam. Can
include AD or composting as a
complementary process.
Cost implications
/ economic case
Landfill tax escalator means costs
are rising, however it currently
remains the cheapest disposal
option.
Collection and disposal costs are falling as both options become
more popular and the market develops. Grants are currently available
to assist with collection costs.
Public funds available that can be
used to demonstrate viability and
in-use performance of plants.
Collection
implications
Business as usual. Food waste
collected together with
municipal solid waste (MSW).
Segregation of food waste
required. AD can be particularly
sensitive to contaminants.
Source segregation required
although not as sensitive to
contaminants as AD.
Business as usual. Food waste
can be collected with MSW
giving this process a particular
advantage.
Useful products
The methane can be extracted
and used for electricity
production.
Biogas (60% methane, 40% CO2)
used in CHP or boilers.
Stripped of CO2 as vehicle fuel or
grid injection.
Bio-fertiliser (digestate).
Bio-fertiliser (digestate).
Fibrous organic material or
cellulose floc: can be used as a
fuel, in soil manufacture, and
in construction as bricks and
boards.
Environmental
implications
Methane emissions (where not
collected) or CO2 emissions
where methane is ‘flared off’.
Land-use odour and runoff
issues.
The digestate is treated as a
waste but can be stabilised and
spread on land by complying
with PAS110.
Energy used in ventilating and
turning the compost.
Can cause odours if not properly
managed.
Questionable CO2 benefits if
not linked to AD or composting.
There can be air quality, noise
emissions and water quality
issues If not well controlled.
Legislation
The EU can impose fines if the UK sends more than a given proportion of waste to landfill. In response there has been a proposal for a ban in
Scotland, with England & Wales more likely to influence the market through further taxes and incentives. AD, in particular, and composting
technologies are receiving significant political backing as alternatives to landfill. The processing of all animal by-products, including municipal
kitchen waste, must comply with the Animal By-Products Regulations (ABPR), which not all facilities are registered for.
Capacity
Available space is running out;
there are only circa 250 working
sites in GB, reducing from 1,500
in 1990’s.
The options
Circa 50 food waste AD facilities and a similar number of IVC facilities.
There is a significant capacity gap. Total combined capacity of AD and
IVC is only enough to deal with 20% of food waste arising’s from the
I&C sectors in England, a gap the government are targeting to close.
Low Carbon Maintenance Ltd
Bloxham Mill, Barford Road, Bloxham,
Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 4FF
enquiries@lcmb.co.uk
Early days for the technology
with plants struggling to
demonstrate operational and
economic viability.
Call us on 01295 722823 or
visit www.lcmb.co.uk to learn how
we can make your buildings work harder.