A solid waste company is installing a $2.25 million (£1.46m) biomass plant in Tennessee.

It is expected to convert more than 30 tons of waste a day into thermal energy, with 60% of it being made into compost.

Around 90% of the biomass will become fuel gas and the remaining residue is a charcoal-like biochar, which will be sold to a local industrial user as a renewable source of fuel to displace coal consumption.

The Pigeon Forge facility has been awarded a $250,000 (£162,000) Clean Energy Tennessee Grant through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

The carbon footprint of the facility will be reduced by more than 450 tons of emissions each year, the company claims.

Tom Leonard, Director of Sevier Solid Waste (SSWI) said: “This new installation will help us reduce the amount of compost we need to transport by converting it into a biochar material, creating a new revenue stream for us.

“The energy from the gasification system will be used in a thermal oxidiser promoting odour control in the buildings and will allow us to defer other upgrades.

“This represents a significant savings from our current disposal and operating costs.”