#SustyTransport: Bus powered by food waste and poop

Case Study: GENeco Bio-Bus

The future of sustainable public transport could come through fueling buses with gas made from two of the things that we seem to have a lot of, human waste and food waste.

In what is a first for the country, the “Bio-Bus”, a 40-seat bus that uses biomethane as its fuel, is now operating in the UK, and could be a harbinger of a greener, more sustainable, public transport system all over the world. This is a groundbreaking innovation that simplifies the circular economy loop.

The biomethane that fuels the Bio-Bus is generated from sewage and food waste (waste which is unfit for human consumption), and because the bus’ engine produces lower emissions while burning biomethane than conventional diesel does, it could not only help improve air quality, but also help to prove the case for more waste-to-fuel projects.

The bus also clearly shows that human poo and our waste food are valuable resources. Food which is unsuitable for human consumption should be separately collected and recycled through anaerobic digestion into green gas and biofertilisers, not wasted in landfill sites or incinerators.”

– Charlotte Morton, chief executive of Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association

The biomethane is being generated by GENeco through anaerobic digestion at the Bristol sewage treatment works, and in addition to fueling this bus, is also being added to the UK’s national gas grid at a volume capable of powering around 8500 homes. The treatment plant handles about 75 million cubic meters of sewage and 35,000 metric tons of food waste each year, effectively turning local waste into local fuel.

On a full tank of this bio-gas (equivalent to the annual waste of 5 people), the Bio-Bus has a range of up to 300km,  and is currently being operated by the Bath Bus Company on the A4.

Environmental benefits

The widespread use of gas-powered vehicles has the potential to significantly improve urban air quality. Exhaust emissions fuel offer significant air quality improvements in comparison to diesel:

  • up to 97% reduction in dangerous particulate (pm2.5 and pm10) emissions; microscopic matter which can pass easily from the lungs into the bloodstream. Recent research demonstrates that one in 20 of the UK population in urban centres will suffer an early death directly attributable to particulate emissions.
  • 80 – 90 % reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx). High levels of NOx gases contribute to the formation of acid rain and city smog, and have a negative effect on vegetation growth.
  • Well-to-wheel biomethane produces 95% less CO2 than diesel; tank-to-wheel, CO2 emissions are 20 to 30% lower than from diesel vehicles.

In the long term, biomethane represents a sustainable and renewably sourced alternative to fossil fuels.

Quite simply, GENeco makes waste work

GENeco is a multi-award winning recycling and renewable energy company, committed to offering our customers innovative, cost effective and sustainable solutions.

Visit     GENeco  for more details.

5 thoughts on “#SustyTransport: Bus powered by food waste and poop”

  1. machi yahbikem

    I found out that plastics can be used for road construction…
    i would like u to write an article on the importance of using plastics for road construction.

    1. Oh yes indeed.

      God created nature in such a way that nothing goes to waste.

      Waste is then a material that we have not discovered how to use or re-use.

      We would definitely share a case study on the use of plastic waste in road construction.

      Thank you Mr Machi

  2. Innovation rules the world!

    Our collective efforts in achieving an eco friendly or susty environment can never be over emphasized

    Mr Mfon E.deserves some accolades for sharing this piece

    1. Thanks Ukachukwu. Nothing goes to waste….

      Like I said in previous comments, God created nature in such a way that nothing goes to waste.
      Waste is then a material that we have not discovered how to use or re-use.

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