Clarifoil, a producer of cellulose acetate films for labels, carton windows and print lamination, is promoting anaerobic digestion (AD) as an energy producing waste disposal route for food and packaging.
The company explains that AD is similar to composting but the methane gas produced is recovered and used to provide energy.
Clarifoil clear films are accredited to EN 13432 and have been found to be suitable for AD.
Anaerobic digestion is an attractive waste disposal route, because it allows for the collection of food material as well as packaging, which can either be used as a source of energy or converted into fertiliser.
AD has become part of the UK’s renewable energy portfolio. In May, the coalition government announced plans to “promote a huge increase in energy from waste through anaerobic digestion”.
“Landfill tax currently stands at £56/tonne and is set to rise by £8/tonne until at least 2014,” says Clarifoil’s global marketing manager Philipp Moeller, and states that Clarifoil films offer an alternative strategy for waste management.