Recycling firm gets green light from Environment Agency

Radstock-based JWitt Waste Recycling has received its permit from the Environmental Agency and has officially begun helping businesses across Bath, Bristol, Somerset and Mendip to reduce their carbon footprint by turning their non-recyclable waste into fuel.
The waste handler is working with biotechnology business Advetec to convert more than 3,600 tonnes of waste into Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) each year. SRF is a real alternative to fossil fuels, replacing carbon-emitting coal in energy-heavy industries, amongst others.
Processing has started on-site and will see JWitt offering carbon reductions to over 1,000 customers, including retailers, restaurants, industrial estates, veterinary practices, holiday lets, and offices.
JWitt will achieve its goal with the help of the XO22, Advetec’s aerobic biodigester, which can process up to 10 tonnes of unrecyclable waste on-site daily. Advetec’s technology halves the mass of waste and diverts 100% from landfill or low-level incineration. The machine cuts associated greenhouse gas emissions by over 60% and aids the transition towards greater material segregation and extraction.
For every truckload of unrecyclable waste that goes through the machine, 6 tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent weight to an African elephant – are saved as the process digests the organic fraction of the waste using unique blends of bacteria.
Jamie Witt, director at JWitt Waste Recycling, said: “We’re thrilled to go live with Advetec’s technology. It’s transformational for our business, our customers and the region – especially when you consider that processing this waste stream on-site will save almost 500 road miles each week, further reducing our companies CO2 output, as we can divert material previously sent to incineration plant in Avonmouth.
“Advetec is enabling independent waste handlers like us to innovate by offering easy access to alternative fuel offtake markets for the first time. These markets have traditionally been hard to access as smaller waste handlers often lack the volume or consistency of waste or the budget to fund the testing and infrastructure required by off-takers. It’s a game changer.”
Until now, JWitt, like most waste handlers has had to regularly transport waste across the region, which is costly and time intensive. The new on-site solution will help reduce road-related carbon emissions and congestion, further enabling JWitt to not only meet their green goals as a company, but surpass them.
Lee Knott, Advetec’s CEO, said: “As the first waste handler to establish a dedicated food waste collection service in Bath, it’s clear that JWitt has always been committed to actively reducing waste, and our technology will allow them to take their efforts to the next level.
“Now the permit is in place, they’ll turn local waste into a commodity that benefits the circular economy and helps customers accelerate their journey to Net Zero. Biotechnology is a local solution with a real-world impact, helping UK waste handlers become green pioneers in their local communities. We’re proud to give JWitt greater control over cost and carbon and build greater waste-handling capacity into their operations.”