Nestlé plans new plant to cut pollution and waste

Under the plans lodged with Derbyshire County Council, the proposed process will handle the entire trade effluent volume produced at the facility before discharging treated liquid waste to Severn Trent Water.

Renewable energy will also be generated via the new development, the planning application revealed. The coffee solids reclaimed from the trade effluent will be used in a biomass boiler to make steam, which can then be converted into electrical and thermal energy for use on site.

Capable of handling 584,000m³​ of wastewater​

The proposal will require the building of a cylindrical, enclosed tank for the anaerobic digestion of the wastewater at the plant, which will be capable of handling 584,000m³​ of wastewater each year. The existing building will also be extended to accommodate control equipment as well as two open circular basins to receive the waste liquid.

“The effluent treatment plant will form an integral part of the coffee production facility,”​ Nestlé’s planning statement read.

“It will enhance the sustainability credentials of the factory, and it builds on other initiatives to reduce pollution load.​

‘Best available technology’​

“The treatment plant for trade effluent will use a biological anaerobic and aerobic process. This is the most effective and efficient way of removing soluble contamination from effluent. It represents the best available technology.” ​

The council was expected to approve or reject the application by the end of the year.

Nestlé declined to comment.

Earlier this year, drinks producer Heineken was ordered to pay £160,000 for breaching environmental laws​after a pollution incident killed fish. The brewer was among 26 firms that paid a total of £1.5M to charities for breaches of the law.

Six of the businesses were ordered to pay six-figure sums, including food producer Filippo Foods and ingredients manufacturer Kerry Ingredients.