LEFT over burgers, sandwiches and kebabs could be turned into electricity if recycling at the Edmonton Incinerator steps up a gear.

The facility, which is now called LondonWaste EcoPark, is considering breaking down food waste to reduce the amount sent to landfill sites.

The process is known as anaerobic digestion – anaerobic means without oxygen - and is composting without air.

Food waste is ground up and mixed with water, within a specially designed and sealed tank.

This material is then "digested" or broken down and the biogas produced can be used to generate heat and electricity.

A fertiliser is also produced which can be used as fertiliser for agriculture.

London alone produces nearly three million tonnes of food waste, from discarded food, which could be converted into heat and power.

The proposed new facility would primarily be for commercial customers at first.

David Sargent, managing director at LondonWaste, said: “It is clean, green and efficient and has been particularly welcomed by environmental experts.

“Our plans for anaerobic digestion are at an early stage and we will be taking everyone’s comments on board as we develop our plans further. When we have more detailed plans we will be able to consult people again.”

To make your voice heard visit www.londonwaste.co.uk or call 020 8884 5525 for a copy of the leaflet.