The Waste Technology Data Centre (WTDC) forms part of Defra's New
Technologies Programme, and is a web-based resource designed to provide
up-to-date information and impartial advice on a range of waste management
technologies in use both in the UK and abroad. It will also include
technologies that are in the development stage and those being funded
through Defra's New Technologies Demonstrator Programme.
Compare
The detailed information on the WTDC website will cover a range of parameters, including operational data set out in such a way that the different technologies are easy to compare on a performance and cost basis.
Regulatory implications and authorisations issues, as well as overall
environmental value, will also be part of each assessment.
Although the WTDC is part of Defra's New Technologies Programme, it is being
developed and hosted by the Environment Agency and is designed for a
wide audience including local authority waste planners, Agency permitting
officers, equipment suppliers, private waste management companies and the
general public.
“Our remit is to provide comprehensive and comparable data on each
technology,” said Frank Hardwick, who is heading up the Agency team responsible
for developing the WTDC. “The idea is to ensure that decision makers have
the information they need, not just the salesperson's version, to make an
informed choice.”
Compost and MBT
The technologies featured will include composting, mechanical biological
treatment, anaerobic digestion, and advanced thermal treatments such as
pyrolysis and gasification. The type of information available on each
technology will be:
- site information and scale of operation
- types of waste feedstock
- costs and other information
- mass balance
- regulatory issues
- environmental/public health issues.
The website is expected to go live during the Summer, with an initial 30
case studies. By April 2005, the aim is to increase this number to 60, and
over the following year, data from the New Technologies Demonstrator
Programme will also be entered.
“This valuable central information resource will enable decision makers to
have a clear picture of the advantages and pitfalls of each technology,
including those that are in widespread use in mainland Europe but haven't
yet reached the UK”, said Dave Brooks, Defra's head of new technology.
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