Greene King has lodged a planning application to build the plant at its Bury St Edmunds facility.

The brewer, whose brands include Old Speckled Hen and Abbot Ale, said beer unused by pubs within a three-day best before period would be recycled.

The beer-based product can be used as animal feed or sprayed onto crops.

Local farms

As well as providing an environmentally-friendly way of using discarded drink, the brewer said the project would cut congestion outside its Westgate site.

The brewer encourages pubs to use a firkin of beer within three days, while the live product is in its best condition.

Keith Ogden, environmental manager for Greene King, said producing beer involved natural ingredients and fresh produce with many of the raw materials coming from local farms.

The recycled beer product could be sent back for use on these farms.

An application for the development has been submitted to planners at St Edmundsbury Borough Council.