The 36-month contract will see food waste from the Trust’s hospitals diverted from landfill or incineration and instead processed at the state-of-the-art Emerald Biogas anaerobic digestion (AD) facility in Newton Aycliffe.
George O’Malley, chief operations officer at Bio Capital, commented: “This contract is about more than just waste collection; it’s about transforming waste into renewable energy, reducing emissions, and supporting the NHS’s journey to Net Zero. Bio Capital’s facility in Newton Aycliffe is ideally placed to deliver both environmental and operational benefits for the Trust.”
The facility will convert the waste into renewable energy and nutrient-rich biofertiliser, supporting both the NHS’s Net Zero ambitions and the UK’s broader circular economy goals. Food waste will be collected using the fleet of low-emission compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles.
Jason Mitchell, waste manager for Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, added: “This partnership with Bio Capital is a significant step forward in our sustainability strategy. We are committed to urgent action to reach net zero—cutting emissions across our operations and supply chain.
“This partnership helps the Trust move towards its ambition of Zero Waste by 2040 – where items surplus to requirements become a resource in another part of the system. From clean air initiatives to award-winning carbon reduction frameworks, we are driving sustainable change across the NHS and beyond. We’re excited to work with a partner that brings both expertise and a shared vision for a greener NHS.”