Coastal Recycling becomes Devon's first to turn black bag waste into alternative fuel

Independent waste management business Coastal Recycling is set to become the first in Devon to turn waste once destined for landfill or incineration into coal-replacing fuel.

Using an innovative biotechnology solution from Advetec, Coastal will turn around 5,200 tonnes of the black bag waste it collects each year into Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF). SRF is a highly sought-after fuel that emits 95% less CO2e than coal and is helping some of the world’s most carbon-heavy industries reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

Coastal will take delivery of an Advetec system comprising two aerobic digester units, known as XO22s, at its processing site in Torrington, Northern Devon. The system will operate at full capacity, processing up to 20 tonnes of non-recyclable waste on-site every day and creating 10 tonnes of SRF daily.

Investment in this technology will help Coastal offer environmental improvements to its 1,600 customers across Devon. In addition to diverting waste from landfill and turning it into a fossil-fuel replacement, Advetec’s technology also reduces the mass of waste by 50% and the volume by 70%, which means fewer waste collections and rubbish trucks on the roads.

Emily Delve, Group Commercial Director at Coastal Recycling, said: “Advetec’s technology allows us to offer more options to our customers in the move to decarbonisation, and we’re proud to bring this innovation to Devon. By innovating in this way, we are helping customers reduce their carbon footprint and doing our bit for the communities we’re part of.

Lee Knott, chief executive of Advetec, said: “Coastal is a forward-thinking business with an appetite to do things differently. As the first in Devon to invest in an Advetec system featuring two of our units in one location, we consider them waste innovators. Our XO system will build greater waste-handling capacity into their operations and provide greater control over costs. We’re delighted to count them among our clients.”

The eight-year contract with biotechnology business Advetec is the latest in Coastal's waste innovation activities, which include using infrared technology to separate plastics more efficiently and Star Screen machines to process cardboard more quickly. Last year, Coastal won an award for Sustainability at the Exeter Living Awards and was highly commended in the sustainability category at the Exeter Property Awards. In 2024, Coastal Recycling won the Sustainable Business Award at the North Devon Business Awards as well as North Devon Business of the Year.