The findings, which build on views aired at last year's NSCA conference have been attacked by the lobby group Greenpeace which claimed that the NSCA
research was biased and produced by an organisation which has a vested interest in building incinerators.
The results have attracted national press coverage today with the BBC reporting that 50 incinerators are planned. However, Environment Minister Michael Meacher is expected to suggest that a smaller number are likely to be built when he addresses the NSCA annual conference in London later this morning.
However, Richard Mills, general secretary of the NSCA explained that the research, overseen by an independent panel of academics, concluded that waste local plans should identify optimum levels of recycling, composting and disposal options.
“Where there is an accepted need for incineration plant, they should be sized to deal with local waste arisings, in order to reduce transport and reduce public resistance to waste imports”.
But, the NSCA emphasised that it is not advocating the wholesale construction of new energy from waste plants. Mr Mills added: “It is important that local authorities and the environmental protection agencies work harder to improve the co-ordination of permitting procedures and to engage effectively with the public. We also look to the government to build a national waste strategy which promotes waste minimisation and incorporates incineration only in so far as it can help secure the best deal for the environment at local level.”
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