Bakers in Glasgow are being encouraged to turn waste bread into beer in order to build a stronger local economy.

The initiative is one of the recommendations of a study of Glasgow’s economy, which has looked at how businesses and local government can create a stronger economy in the city.

The study, commissioned by a partnership of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Zero Waste Scotland and Glasgow City Council, analysed the city’s waste and sought to pinpoint areas in which the city could benefit from new collaborations, create market opportunities and increase profits, while reducing the its environmental impact.

Using waste bread to brew beer was just one of the recommendations. The food and beverage sector uses over 34,000 tons of biomass every year and generates over 2,000 trucks of waste.

“By valorising the city’s waste streams additional revenue streams are added to Glasgow’s economy and CO2 emissions are reduced,” the report stated.

“A practical example of this is the use of bread waste - a staggering 200,000 slices of bread are wasted daily in Glasgow - to create green gas, compost or even beer. Applying circular strategies in the city’s food and beverage sectors creates income, jobs and ultimately reduces carbon emissions.”

In January Toast Ale, the Hackney-based company, started trading by selling a pale ale made with waste bread.