Energus takes another Sustainable Step with new Eco Bot

Energus is excited to announce that we are one of the first companies in the county to own an Ecobot, a waste disposal machine that processes food waste and creates a soil improver to enhance the quality of the soil used within our grounds.

This is the latest addition to our net zero plans as we continue towards our mission of reducing our carbon footprint. Our in-house catering team has the capability to provide a full corporate hospitality service, catering for meetings, conferences, training courses, evening award ceremonies, etc. With this comes an unavoidable quantity of food waste. The introduction of the new Ecobot will help manage this waste in a more sustainable way.

This step has been introduced in response to the 2021 Environmental Act, which requires companies to segregate food waste and dispose of it separately. We believe the introduction of the Ecobot, creating a new, sustainable product from waste, is a great response to comply with the act.

The new Ecobot’s process involves drying and sanitising organic waste on-site to turn waste into an asset. It reduces the weight of food waste by around 80%, and the addition of thermophilic ‘good bacteria’ helps to accelerate the composting process and reduce energy consumption.

Energus is committed to sustainability. By teaming up with Tumblebug, who integrate innovative technologies with sustainable practices, the movement towards economic advancement is possible. Some past projects Energus has undertaken to improve the business's sustainability include the installation of solar panels, a new solution that uses AI to enhance the operational efficiency of our building, and a tree planting programme in the grounds.

As part of Phase 2 of this innovative model, the Ecobot waste can also be used to create a substance called BioChar. This is produced during the thermal decomposition of organic material in an oxygen-limited environment, a process called pyrolysis. This is very ecologically impactful as it can significantly reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released back into the atmosphere, combating climate change by decreasing greenhouse gas concentrations, Energus are currently planning to lead the way in Cumbria for this next phase.

As a way to deepen the partnership between Energus and Tumblebug, Tumblebug plan to engage staff and visitors to foster greater awareness of food waste reduction, recovery, and the benefits of circular business models. The Ecobot also generates real-time data for sustainability tracking and compliance with the Environment Agency, supporting ongoing efforts to segregate and reduce food waste.

Shaun Stanger, General Manager of Energus, said, “We were impressed by Tumblebug’s approach and their strategy regarding food waste processing. This is the first step to a truly circular economy. In addition to the obvious environmental benefits, we had to ensure the Ecobot was a sound financial investment.”

“At Tumblebug, we believe that food waste isn’t just a problem – it's an untapped resource with economic and environmental value. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Energus, a leading provider of world-class event, exhibition and conference facilities in Cumbria, as they take bold steps toward embedding sustainability at the heart of their operations.” Says Sylvie Verinder, Founder and CEO of Tumblebug. “Sustainability is about action, and with Energus, we’re proving that real, measurable and meaningful change is possible.”

Energus is excited about this next step towards a more sustainable future as a business.

To find out more about Tumblebug and their Ecobot, please visit: https://tumblebug-ecobot.co.uk/