The plant, which has been described as the UK’s first “fully integrated materials recycling and energy centre”, is being built at Crymlyn Burrows, Port Talbot by Portuguese company HLC. But although planning permission was given in 1998 and it is hoped that the plant will by up and running by next April, the Environment Agency has not yet made a decision regarding the issuing of an IPPC licence.
The facility has received opposition from some local residents and residents in neighbouring Swansea who have formed a campaign group to try and stop the plant from going ahead. Stop the Incinerator (STIC) campaigners plan to hold an all night candle-lit vigil on the night before the Environment Agency makes its decision.
The Environment Agency was due to make a decision on October 17 and although the deadline was extended by a month a decision has yet to be made and is now expected in December or January as the Environment Agency asked HLC for more information.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “There is likely to be an announcement in December but sometimes these things tend to go on a bit. We said it would be earlier but we now have more information to assess.”
Alan Shields, recycling manager for Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, said that there was some local opposition to the plant but that this was a result of ignorance. “Many people don't release that more dioxins were released in 15 minutes by the Millennium fireworks in London than the plant will release in 25 years.”
30 million
The plant is being built by Port Talbot County Borough Council and Bridgend County Borough Council at a cost of 9.2 million, with the overall cost of the plant around 30 million. Neath Port Talbot council will maintain a partnership role in the new facility via its Neath Port Talbot Waste Management Company.
The construction of the building is almost completed and machinery is being put in at the moment. Paul Roach, director on site for HLC, said: “We are 70% through the construction phase and are close to receiving IPPC authorisation.”
HLC has the 25-year treatment and disposal contract to build the plant which will incorporate materials recovery, composting and energy recovery under one roof. It aims to compost/recycle 30% of the waste and with energy recovery achieve an overall resource recovery of around 70%. The plant takes waste not otherwise recycled or composted and produces a fuel (dRDF). The contract is designed to impose incentives and penalties so that the council targets of 25% recycling and 40% resource recovery are exceeded.
Household waste and recyclables (including glass) will be collected in a single grey bin for sorting at that plant which will operate as a “dirty MRF”. Residual material and some other material will be incinerated for energy recovery.
Neath Port Talbot currently has a current recycling rate of 5%, Mr Shields explained how the council had tried a kerbside scheme but poor participation had meant that it was unsuccessful and he hoped that with a new plant they should achieve a recycling rate of 70%.
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