Turning Food Waste Into Energy
In 2023 Open Table established a new network of community biodigesters in Melbourne to test a new way of reducing local food waste from going to landfill. A Biodigester is a standalone unit that transforms organic waste (food scraps) into cooking gas whilst also creating a liquid fertiliser for the garden.
Here’s how they work:
Food scraps and water are placed in the inlet and the unit is resealed
Microbes digest the food scraps daily and create biogas (mostly methane with CO2 and water vapour)
Biogas is continuously cleaned via the filter and is ready to cook with
An outflow of liquid fertiliser is continuously created, matching the inflow of food scraps
To use liquid fertiliser dilute with 3 parts water for top dressing or as soil preparation before planting
We have installed two Biodigesters in community hubs:
Oakhill Food Justice Farm in Preston
Interested in learning more? We have designed a series of simple visual guides to help you install your own biodigster units.