The borough’s food waste recycling scheme, which launched on June 2, has collected more than 530 tonnes of scraps in its first 12 weeks.
A new video released by Darlington Borough Council shows what happens to the waste once it leaves residents’ doorsteps.
The food waste is taken to Bio Capital’s Warrens Emerald facility in Newton Aycliffe, where it is weighed, inspected and sorted before being processed through anaerobic digestion.
The process breaks down food waste in an oxygen-free environment, producing a low-carbon biogas that is converted into renewable energy and fed into the national grid.
It also generates compressed natural gas, which can be used as a low-carbon fuel for vehicles.
The remaining material is turned into a nutrient-rich organic fertiliser used on local farmland as an alternative to chemical fertilisers.
(Image: Darlington Borough Council)
Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for local services, Councillor Libby McCollom, thanked residents for supporting the scheme.
She said: “I want to thank everyone who has been recycling their food waste and urge those who haven’t yet started to get involved.
“It doesn’t matter how little food waste you produce; just six recycled teabags can generate enough energy to boil the kettle for your next cuppa.”
The council’s video is available on its website and YouTube channel and explains how collected food waste is recycled into energy and fertiliser.