Major MBT study to report on findings next month

Researchers from consultancy Juniper have spent more than 18 months researching 27 MBT systems from around the world, including some already active in the UK waste management market. Lancashire's proposed Herhof system has been assessed, as has the Ecodeco system used by the East London Waste Authority.

Funded by Landfill Tax credits from the SITA Environmental Trust, the 240,000 study is focussing on systems with a demonstrated commercial track record that are being actively promoted to local authorities.

”Our experts have done technical assessments and appraisals on each system and their strengths and weaknesses will be there in the report.”“
– Anne Sutcliff, Director, Juniper
But, Juniper says the study will not make judgements on process, it will provide reference information on the various systems.

Anne Sutcliffe, director of Juniper, commented: “There are no preferred systems in the report. It's up to the reader to assess their own particular projects and decide which process is best.”

However, she said: “Our experts have done technical assessments and appraisals on each system and their strengths and weaknesses will be there in the report.”

The report, expected on March 22, will address some of the key questions surrounding the waste management option, including whether MBT can help meet biodegradable municipal waste and Best Value Performance Indicator (BVPI) targets.

Constraints
The study also discusses the key EU and UK policy initiatives and regulations and assesses their impact on the uptake of MBT. Market constraints, technical obstacles and considerations of supply and demand of MBT outputs, such as fuel and soil improver, are also being looked at.

Waste treated in MBT systems undergoes physical separation processes to remove recyclable elements before a composting and drying process to reduce the biodegradability of the material. Typically, MBT can reduce non-separated residual waste by 40-50% in volume, producing a low-grade landfill cover or a refuse-derived fuel.

The full list of MBT systems in the Juniper study is as follows:

Local Authorities are invited to a seminar to hear the main findings of the report, at the Imperial College London on 22 March. Contact env.trust@sita.co.uk for more information.