A new anaerobic digestion (AD) facility capable of processing more than 160,000 tonnes of food waste every year has been opened in London.

The waste to energy plant in Dagenham is expected to generate 14 million m3 of biogas – enough to power around 12,600 homes every year.

Developer ReFood claims it will help displace 73,600 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of taking more than 14,400 cars off the road.

It is also expected to help London businesses reduce food waste costs by up to 47% – compared to a landfill disposal.

Shirley Rodrigues, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy said: “We’re committed to helping drive up London’s recycling rates as well as making London zero carbon by 2050.

“This new facility, the first of its kind in London, is exactly the type of solution we need to help achieve this. Not only will it deal with London’s food waste but it will also produce clean biogas to help cut the carbon emissions of the gas grid.”

ReFood Dagenham is the company’s third facility in the UK, adding to existing sites in Doncaster and Widnes.