Wednesday 18 March 2020

Leeds residents ‘receiving low carbon heat from black bin waste’

Veolia has begun the delivery of low carbon heat through a new district heating facility in Leeds which will initially supply heat for 1,983 council homes and provide enough electricity for 22,000 homes.

It says the 14MW Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility (RERF), which aims to help Leeds become zero waste, is designed to recover recyclable materials from the waste and use what is left to generate low carbon heat, hot water and electricity.

Richard Kirkman, Veolia's Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, said: "District heating is a key strategy that will drive heat decarbonisation and help reduce carbon dioxide emissions across the UK.

"With this innovative facility Leeds is a shining example of a circular economy hub that transforms unrecyclable black bin waste into an important energy source that benefits local communities. By connecting it to the district heating network it further boosts sustainability and cuts carbon emissions for the city."