Luca Pornaro: Turning waste into a resource is a Core target

THE UK government is committed to working towards a zero waste economy, and food waste was a significant part of its most recent review.

The Scottish Government also published its Zero Waste Plan in June last year, which set out key actions and new targets.

The plan focuses on transforming waste into a valuable resource that can be used to make new products and generate renewable energy, heat and fertiliser with the potential to create over 2,000 jobs.

The Scottish Government plans to introduce legislation requiring mandatory food collections by 2013, leading to savings for local authorities. This will increase the quality of other waste that can be separated and recycled for value.

Cyrenians Organics Waste Recycling (Core) is one of Edinburgh Cyrenians' social enterprises, and has pioneered a system for separating and collecting food that is due to be thrown away. It was the first organisation in Scotland to offer a competitive and efficient alternative to landfill for food waste coming from hospitality businesses and large canteens.

Core started in Edinburgh in January 2009 and grew quickly as the push for a more environmentally friendly solution was becoming a "must" for every Scottish business. Core now recycles more than 2,000 tonnes a year mainly from the hospitality sector, sending it for anaerobic digestion to produce energy, heat and compost.

We have this week announced a partnership with Mitie Group, the outsourcing and energy services company, to rapidly expand the enterprise.

Millions of tonnes of food is thrown away in Scotland each year and Core works with commercial organisations throughout Edinburgh and Fife, such as Ikea, Aegon, the Scottish Parliament and Scottish & Southern Energy, to manage and reduce their leftover food.

• Luca Pornaro is manager with Edinburgh waste recycling enterprise Cyrenians Organics Waste Recycling