London mayor unveils food waste-to-fuel program

London Mayor Boris Johnson recently announced the launch of an initiative to convert the city's food waste into renewable energy and to reduce landfill rates and emissions through the construction of anaerobic digestion and biodiesel production facilities.

According to the mayor's office, London generates 2.7 million tons of organic waste each year, or 13 percent of all waste produced. City landfills receive approximately 40 percent of organic waste produced.

"The Food Waste to Fuel Alliance" will be aimed at uniting developers, food producers and energy companies to provide new infrastructure needed for the program's goals, which includes the construction of five biofuel/anaerobic digestion plants in or near London by 2012.

According to the mayor's office, several companies have already joined the alliance, which will consist of a steering group including representatives from the London Waste and Recycling Board, the London Development Agency, the Greater London Authority, Transport for London and London Food.

London's Waste and Recycling Board was established in September 2008, and has up to �84 million ($138 million) to spend over the next three years to reduce waste and boost recycling; �31 million ($51 million) is earmarked for renewable energy projects.

To learn more, visit the Web site at www.london.gov.uk.