Plans have been unveiled for a groundbreaking initiative aiming to cultivate fruits and vegetables using recycled carbon dioxide in greenhouses situated above a landfill site in Wiltshire, branded as a potential world first. The undertaking, led by Crapper & Sons Ltd, is currently pending planning permission and seeks to transform landfill waste into a source of fresh produce for the local community, including towns like Royal Wootton Bassett, Malmesbury, and Brinkworth.
The landfill operation already utilizes methane from waste to generate power for its operations and supply energy to the national grid. As part of the new plan, the company has established a community interest company named Sustain Wiltshire, emphasizing its commitment to food production throughout the year.
At the core of this initiative is the use of greenhouses that will leverage the site’s cleaned CO2 and heat to nurture crops unheard of in the UK, such as avocados. The project director, Nick Ash, highlighted that while there exist similar initiatives globally, the Wiltshire project distinguishes itself by utilizing waste-derived CO2 in greenhouses to create an optimal growing environment.
The process involves creating concrete-lined pits, or “cells,” at the landfill to facilitate rapid gas production via newly deposited waste. The gas, primarily composed of methane, will be captured and converted into energy, while the cleaned CO2 will be redirected into the greenhouses to boost plant growth. Notably, plants grown in this enriched environment are expected to thrive better than those in typical atmospheric conditions.
In a bid to modify traditional landfill practices, Mr. Ash stated the goal is to enhance sustainability by implementing a system where organic waste decomposes efficiently, producing renewable gases that can either be harnessed immediately or stored for later recycling efforts. The greenhouses are designed to be portable, facilitating ongoing landfill management and ensuring fresh waste can continuously be processed.
The initiative is dubbed the Super Midden, a nod to historical waste disposal methods, and aims to fulfill approximately 80% of the fruit and vegetable needs of nearby residents. This endeavor is not only targeted at improving food security but also focuses on reducing emissions and food transportation distances.
As the project gears up to reshape the landscape of waste management and food production in Wiltshire, Mr. Ash remains optimistic about its success, emphasizing the main obstacle would rather be societal adaptation to this innovative approach.
