Click on the myths to debunk them:
Anaerobic digestion is just for big companies who want to improve their reputation.
Anaerobic digestion machines reduce job opportunities.
Anaerobic digestion is dangerous and messy.
Anaerobic digestion creates increased traffic and disruption in local communities.
Anaerobic digestion is smelly.
Anaerobic digestion takes crops that should be entering the food chain.
MYTH: Anaerobic digestion is just for big companies who want to improve their reputation.
Anaerobic digestion is great for businesses of all sizes that produce organic waste. It may seem like it’s more popular with big companies, but that’s only because they tend to shout about their green practices more!
Over half of the feedstock providers we work with are small local businesses and farmers. Anaerobic digestion is not just a rich person’s play thing, it’s a real way to sustainably create value out of waste. For many farmers, AD is especially useful as our digestate bi-product makes great fertilizer and the biogas helps fuel their farms.
MYTH: Anaerobic digestion machines reduce job opportunities.
Anaerobic digestion actually increases the demand for jobs. While machinery does the bulk of the digesting work, the whole operation requires a hardworking, meticulous team to check the machines are running as they should be. On top of this, AD boosts a range of other jobs, such as managing feedstock production, fertiliser, and maintenance.
MYTH: Anaerobic digestion creates increased traffic and disruption in local communities.
This is the most common misconception about AD. AD plants are often situated on agricultural land, as this is the most beneficial location for our feedstock providers who tend to be farmers and small, rural businesses. This helps cut travel costs and allows farmers to make profit from their waste.
Prior to AD plants, farmers had to remove their waste, (often via large lorries or tractors), to a landfill or similar facility that could be miles away. Instead, AD diverts the waste to a different place, which is usually just a short trip down the road.
MYTH: Anaerobic digestion is smelly.
Some of the feedstocks that fuel a digester can produce a bit of a stink (such as manure and chicken litter), but these smells aren’t permanent. Plants want to turn their feedstock into green gas as quickly and efficiently as possible, so the feedstock isn’t around for long. This also means that the smell rarely spreads beyond the plant. In fact, one of our AD plants is situated directly next to a wedding venue and we haven’t had any complaints!
MYTH: Anaerobic digestion takes crops that should be entering the food chain.
Some people are concerned that using crops as a feedstock for producing green energy is a waste, when these crops could become food instead. Arable land is already being used for purposes other than food production, though – more cereals are grown for brewing and distilling than for energy crops!
It’s not possible or sustainable to continuously grow food crops, as the soil will gradually lose its nutrients. AD feedstock crops are grown as part of a crop rotation cycle with natural digestate fertiliser, helping to replenish organic matter and improve the soil. This means farmers can grow better quality food in the next cycle.
You can find out more about the vital role of AD feedstock crops in managing soil quality here.