Food wastage in airlines, it’s one of the pressing problems facing the industry. Just as airlines look for cost-efficient ways to take care of waste food, Power Knot has a perfect solution for them – their flagship LFC biodigester. As the name suggests it is a machine that digests food. Just recently Qatar Airways Catering integrated the LFC biodigester as an efficient component of their daily operations thus contributing to their sustainability goals.
In an exclusive Interview Iain Milnes of Power Knot speaks about how airlines can benefit immensely from Power Knot’s LFC biodigester providing cost-effective and environmentally friendly waste management solutions. Read On.
Q1: Can you describe the working of your flagship LFC-500 biodigester?
The LFC biodigester is a machine that digests food waste. These machines are usually installed in a kitchen or a garbage room and reduce the expense, inconvenience, mess, and carbon footprint of disposing of food waste that would otherwise be picked up and transported to a landfill. Power Knot has nine different sizes that digest from 10 kg (20 lb) per day to 6000 kg (13200 lb) per day of food waste. With many hundreds of installations globally on land and on the ocean, the LFC biodigester has proven to be reliable, safe, and cost-effective.
The LFC-500 biodigester is a mid-size machine, that nominally digests 500 kg of organic waste per day.
Q2: How can airlines worldwide benefit from the use of LFC-500 biodigester?
Airlines can significantly benefit from the LFC biodigester by improving operational efficiency and sustainability in their catering services. For example, Air Fayre, a leading airline catering company that serves 12 airline partners at Los Angeles Airport (LAX) and delivers over 4.7 million meals annually uses the LFC biodigester on premise. As a result, Air Fayre has eliminated waste management handling and transport costs. This approach is not only sustainable but also cost-effective, helping airlines manage their food waste in an environmentally friendly manner.
Q3: Can you tell our readers the response from the Qatar Airways Catering team after the installation of the biodigester?
Qatar Airways Catering has integrated the LFC biodigester as an efficient component of their daily operations, enhancing the management of their waste and contributing to their sustainability goals. We recommend that you reach out to the Qatar Airways Catering team for an official quote.
Q4: On average, according to you, how much food goes as airline waste every day?
The amount of airline waste generated daily varies depending on the number of dishes and services offered by the airline. While the exact number can differ, addressing this waste effectively is crucial for reducing environmental impact. Having said that, an airline catering company can have anywhere from a few hundred kilograms of waste per day, all the way up to several tonnes of waste per day, depending on their size and the number of meals being prepared.
Q5: Your take on sustainability and how can we encourage the use of technology like biodigester beyond aviation?
Sustainability is not only an expectation from consumers, stakeholders, and employees but also a pathway to resource efficiency and long-term business viability. Educating people about the hidden costs of food waste—such as wasted resources, labor, and energy—can encourage the adoption of technologies like biodigesters. Unlike food waste that ends up in landfills, where it releases methane, the biodigester processes food waste onsite. This process is carbon neutral and significantly reduces environmental impact. Spreading awareness and showcasing successful case studies are key steps to driving adoption across industries.
Q6: Can you share some of the other companies/sectors where biodigesters are currently used?
Biodigesters are widely utilized in industries that produce high volumes of food waste. They are particularly popular in sectors such as cruise ships, hotels with banquet facilities and special events, universities with large dining facilities, corporate cafeterias, and businesses in remote locations like mining camps. These industries benefit from the cost-effective and environmentally friendly waste management solutions that biodigesters provide.
Q7: Is the use of biodigester cost-effective for airlines?
Absolutely. There are tremendous environmental costs associated with transporting waste and dumping it in the landfill where it rots and produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The LFC biodigester offers a cost-effective solution by processing food waste onsite, reducing handling, transport, and the costs for collection and disposal. Additionally, it transforms food waste into greywater, streamlining waste management and minimizing the airline’s environmental footprint.
