Food waste export costs £3m since 2019, data shows

Until 18 months ago, Guernsey's food waste was sent to a plant in Warminster

More than £3m has been spent by the States of Guernsey to deal with the island's food waste since 2019, new figures from a Freedom of Information request reveal.

The figures show the cost of dealing with the island's food waste came down last year.

For the past 18 months, the island's food waste has been sent to a plant in Basingstoke, Hampshire, where it is used to create energy for the surrounding area through a process called anaerobic digestion.

Last year, the States spent £694,000 dealing with the export of food waste, compared to £982,000 in 2023 and £822,000 in 2022, the figures show.

Anaerobic digestion tanks like these are where Guernsey's food waste is stored to create energy

Guernsey Waste, which deals with the island's rubbish, has said the disposal of food waste between 2019 and 2021cost £538,000.

Until 18 months ago, food waste was sent to a company called Malaby Biogas and its plant in Warminster, Wiltshire.

Food waste is collected once a week in Guernsey with general waste and glass collected every two weeks, for most households.

The island's non-recyclable waste is currently sent via the UK to a plant in Sweden where it is burned and turned into energy.

Guernsey Waste has about 40 contracts or supply agreements for managing waste.