The ‘No Time to Waste – Resources, Recovery & the Road to Net-Zero’ report was published yesterday (16 July) and concludes that EfW is the “safest and cheapest” option for the UK (see letsrecycle story).
Backed by 13 cross-party politicians, the report added that while EfW is not the “perfect long-term solution”, accompanied by a drive to increase heat use, remove plastics, and decarbonise EfW further, “it is the best available technology”.
At the unveiling of the report, recycling minister Rebecca Pow welcomed its findings, and urged the waste industry to “work together” to help implement some of the measures.
And, Lilian Greenwood, the MP for Nottingham South, spoke out in support of EfW, saying that FCC’s plant in Nottingham has delivered savings to residents in the form of cheaper heat and electricity.
‘Build Back Better’
Executive director of the Environmental Services Association (ESA), Jacob Hayler, said that making the most of EfW is ‘critical’ to maximising the benefit of the technology, and added that the association supports Policy Connect’s recommendations for the government to join the sector in its efforts.
Mr Hayler said: “As Policy Connect’s timely report concludes, energy recovery has an important role to play in the transition to a stronger, more sustainable, low-carbon economy and can help Britain Build Back Better in the aftermath of the Coronavirus Crisis.
“The report shows that EfW infrastructure provides the most cost-effective and lowest carbon solution for household and municipal waste as the UK transitions to decarbonised heat and power by 2050. Our sector will continue in our efforts to drive up recycling and to remove as much plastic from the residual waste stream as possible, but we must stop sending non-recyclable waste abroad and instead make better domestic use of this source of heat and power domestically.”
Carbon
Veolia said that cutting carbon emissions and meeting net zero targets must be “central to all policies” moving forward.
Richard Kirkman, chief technology and innovation Officer, Veolia UK and Ireland said: “We are excited to see this report recognising the importance of energy from waste facilities and district heating infrastructure in progressing the UK towards a green recovery.
“The future is a system of sustainable, hot, water circulating around the UK, with homes and businesses tapping off from it rather than a gas network. We have supported energy from waste and have grown our energy recovery facilities to create jobs, generate power and divert waste from landfill. We have millions of pounds of shovel ready renewable infrastructure where we are ready to press the button, and as long as the hurdles are removed to those developments and the right incentives are in place, we are confident that the economy will be primed for this green renewal.”
Lack of signals
Paul Taylor, CEO, FCC Environment added: “Even though Britain is recycling more than ever, everything else that goes in black bin
bags in wheelie bins today is still destined for landfill, export or recovery. For some time now we have been working to minimise waste to landfill for many reasons including space, tax, emissions, and perpetual maintenance. Similarly, sending our waste for recovery overseas post-Brexit is not viable and will simply fuel unnecessary carbon emissions. The lack of clear, joined-up policy signals means the UK is wasting valuable domestic opportunities to scale low carbon heat networks with the potential to support hundreds of thousands of UK homes and businesses.”
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