The booklet called “Recycling Reality” puts forward the case that the only way to meet targets is to look an integrated approach rather than concentrating on the recycling versus energy from waste debate.
The EWA said: “There have been fears that any increase in energy from waste will crowd out recycling. This will not be the case. The national waste strategies are “recycling led” and require this as a preferred option.”
And the Association said that it will “require a massive effort” for the UK to meet government targets and said that energy from waste must form part of the waste management strategy as it does in Europe. The EWA has proposed that the European approach which involves all forms of minimisation, treatment and disposal is the way forward and highlighted the achievements in Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland which all show low levels of landfilled waste when recycling, composting and energy from waste are used together.
The Association added that the with the introduction of best value local authorities now have “a greater opportunity to tailor the tender documents in order to develop recycling as well as developing a partnership approach with the waste management industry”.
“Recycling Reality” is an updated version of a publication that the Association produced earlier this year called “Dispelling the Myths” which looked at the issues surrounding energy from waste. The Association will be launching the brochure at the IWM exhibition next week.
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