East Herts turns food waste into power for 600 homes
Weekly food waste collections part of wider environmental push in East Herts
East Herts Council’s new food waste collection system is generating enough electricity to power 600 homes per month, according to council leader Ben Crystall.
Crystall shared the update during the Socialism in the Suburbs Conference held at Hertford Corn Exchange on October 26. He outlined recent changes to local recycling services, including smaller general waste bins, larger recycling bins, adjusted collection schedules, and the introduction of weekly food waste pickups.
Food waste is sent to an anaerobic digester, a sealed system that breaks down organic material without oxygen to produce biogas. The methane produced is then used to generate electricity. Early data shows that one month’s food waste from East Herts can power 600 homes for the same period.
Crystall noted that the volume of food waste being collected is high and said efforts are needed to reduce waste levels.
He also expressed support for the Wilder St Albans project, which promotes small-scale environmental actions such as planting bee-friendly flowers and creating hedgehog highways.
Crystall stated that the council directly controls only 5–10% of local emissions, with the remainder coming from residents and businesses. He said the council’s role is to lead by example and encourage wider community participation in environmental efforts.