The anaerobic digestion (AD) industry in Scotland could “more than double in size” in the next two years, according to Scottish Renewables.

Currently 16 facilities are in operation across Scotland and a further 24 have got planning approval due to an increase in local authority food waste collections and mandatory separation of food waste for businesses, which came into effect in January, it said.

The AD process uses food waste, farm slurry, paper and other organic material to produce gas, which is then used to generate electricity.

Stephanie Clark, Policy Manager at Scottish Renewables said: “Food waste is a source of fuel for anaerobic digesters and we expect that an increase in the amount of food waste collected by local authorities will now lead to a significant increase in the number of AD plants in Scotland.”

Up to 8,000 tonnes of household food waste are currently picked up every year by Scottish local authorities and the figure could rise to 72,000 if all 32 councils roll out weekly collection schemes.