The food waste chain shows that all waste that is produced from the production of food, from the farm to the retail outlet and finally the household can be anaerobically digested (excluding Specified Risk Material (SRM)).   The nutrients within the biofertiliser resulting from all the waste can be recycled back onto the farmland to complete the chain and the biogas can be used to produce renewable energy.  

There are two types of plants developing within the UK,

Farm Plants  

These are plants that are digesting farm products such as manure and energy crops, with the possibility of importing non-animal by-product (ABP) feedstocks such as glycerine , (a by-product of biodiesel production).   These plants are often integrated into the current farming infrastructure including the use of labors and skills already available on the farm.

Commercial Plants  

These plants are importing ABP waste such as source- separated food waste, for which a gate fee is demanded.   These plants may be located on or off farms and are likely to be ring fenced as a separate enterprise.

Animal By-Products