Scientists have created an amazing and innovative machine to recapture household waste that could revolutionize the recycling industry. The system is called Autoclave and it divides the waste for recycling on a huge scale and produces enough energy to power itself.

Its inventors, AeroThermal, say that at some point in the future, householders could even sell their rubbish because there is potentially a profit in it.

All steel and aluminium is cleaned during the process, plastics are reduced to recyclable pellets and glass is made reusable.

Food and organic refuse is turned into a biogas that can be converted into green electricity. Even the steam that is used in the process is recaptured afterwards and re-used so nothing is released into the atmosphere.

In two hours the technology, which acts like a giant steam-powered pressure cooker, can deal with 30 tonnes of municipal waste.

AeroThermal said the Autoclave system could be used to achieve the EU and government targets for dealing with our household waste.

Ian Toll, managing director of the firm based in Poole, Dorset, said: "The system provides real answers to environmental problems.

"Disposal of rubbish poses headaches for authorities on a local and national scale, and we believe this system will reduce pollution - and the cost of waste management.

"It is proof that engineering and the application of science can go some way to help combat the major threats facing us today.

He added: "Its effect will be felt by ordinary people because it means we could revert back to the old system of putting out rubbish - with everything in the same bag.

"It powers itself and there is enough green electricity left over to put back into the national grid - and it could ensure we reach recycling targets.

"The steel and aluminium is cleaned and all the labels are removed, and that increases its value.

"The plastics, including plastic bags, are separated and reduced so they can be recycled.

"And all the food and cellulose material is reduced to its basic form, and after it is put through an anaerobic digestion system it can be converted into electricity.

"There is no need for us to ship any of our waste to China when we have the technology to sort it out then recycle it."