Top Ryde City shopping centre in Sydney's north west, will begin using general waste to create renewable electricity.

 In a bid to reduce the amount of general waste and recyclable materials going to traditional landfills, Veolia Environmental Services is looking to recover and reuse up 65 per cent of all general waste and recyclable materials from Top Ryde City when it opens in November.

 Peter Grima, Veolia Environmental Services business manager, said general waste from the Ryde site would be transported to Veolia's Woodlawn Bioreactor, where the gas produced from the waste breaking down, will be used to create renewable energy.

It is estimated Top Ryde City will produce approximately 1440 tonnes of general waste each year. Bioreactor technology, Veolia will able to produce approximately 411,840kWh of electricity per annum from this waste, or enough power for 50 households for a year.

Michelle Thomas, Defined Developments project marketing manager, said the system was ground-breaking.

“It is wonderful to know that a shopping centre of this size can make a genuine difference to its eco footprint,” said Mrs Thomas.

Top Ryde City is also expected to save 1728 tonnes of greenhouse gases emissions per year.

Stage one of Top Ryde City will launch on November 5 with 120 retailers, including Woolworths, Big W, Dan Murphy’s, Dick Smith, JB Hi-Fi, 17 food court outlets and 90 speciality stores.

Stage Two will launch in early 2010 and the complete shopping centre, will be unveiled in mid 2010. The completed centre will also include a Myer, cinema, bowling alley, La Strada and La Piazza.