Green 'dating agency' finds a match for waste producers

SUPERMARKETS, restaurants and householders will be encouraged to sell food waste to green businesses for conversion into bio-fuels under plans by Boris Johnson's waste board today.

The London Waste and Recycling Board is setting up a "dating agency" to link waste producers with councils, rubbish dumps and firms with high energy needs to help it deal with the capital's 21 million tons of rubbish produced each year.

Firms such as Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda could pass food and paper waste to companies to turn it into energy to sell as fuel. The board estimates London could create energy worth £504 million, representing 10 per cent of the capital's total gas and electricity bill.

"This fantastic waste 'dating agency' will be vital for anyone who has a great idea for getting energy from our waste or recycling our rubbish - they won't have to wade through endless bureaucracy but can get the expertise and help they need," said Mr Johnson.

"It will certainly make life easier for innovators with bright new ideas for dealing with recycling and waste to invest in London."

The board will provide expertise, funds from its £37 million budget and contacts to help develop projects.