Gasification plant proposed for Merseyside
Renewable energy firm Energos is proposing to build the facility to process up to 80,000 tonnes of residual waste a year into gas to generate renewable energy and heat. A planning application for the plant – which will include a training and visitor centre – will be submitted following a community outreach campaign.
The company said: “The plant would use the patented Energos gasification system – a proven, best practice technology that is in use at six Energos facilities in Norway and Germany, and soon to be commissioned on the Isle of Wight.”
Surrey Waste Plan agreed
Surrey council has adopted a new waste plan which sets out a framework for where new waste facilities should be located in the county.
At present, a large proportion of the 600,000 tonnes of municipal waste produced in Surrey goes to landfill, but the plan encourages this to be reused and recycled as much as possible. The plan identifies five potential sites for energy from waste – two of which the council is proposing to build facilities, subject to planning permission. The preferred sites are at Clockhouse Brickworks in Capel and on land adjacent to Trumps Farm, at Longcross.
David Harmer, Surrey's executive member for the environment, said: “This plan provides a clear framework for the provision of waste management facilities necessary to divert waste from landfill. It will also reduce the cost to the public purse of landfill.”
May Gurney makes waste appointment
Nicola Peake joins the firm, which has recently begun long-term household waste recycling contracts with Norfolk and Gloucestershire county councils, from a background that has seen her succeed in helping businesses to work successfully with the local government sector.
Following her appointment she said: “I am looking forward to developing May Gurney's Waste Services sector. The government and the EU continue to set ambitious targets for waste treatment and recycling, so there are many exciting opportunities in the market at the moment. May Gurney's track record of developing long-term relationships with local government means the company is in an ideal position to secure them. My key challenge is to fulfil this potential and to deliver on our strategy for growth.”
BioGen unveils expansion plans
Lancashire-based renewable energy firm BioGen Power has announced plans to build 12 small-scale energy from waste plants in the UK over the next five years.
The firm is offering the technology to local authorities as an alternative to landfill and has already received planning consent for a facility in North Ayrshire, Scotland. It has teamed up to develop the facilities with technology firm Energos. A typical BioGen plant would treat around 120,000 tonnes of non-hazardous waste a year and provide around 10MW of electricity and hour.
BioGen chief executive Chris Reeve said: “Local authorities are under increasing pressure to reduce landfill waste and the UK needs to find more sources of clean sustainable energy. Our energy from waste technology is one solution to both of these issues and we are now confident our success in North Ayrshire will be repeated throughout the UK.”
Glasgow installs Valpak recycling banks
The banks are sited in prominent locations to attract high volumes of material and allow residents to place recyclables in one bank. They have been provided by Glasgow city council in partnership with Waste Aware Scotland, the Wise Group, Valpak and Volvic.
Material will be taken to the council's materials recycling facility at Polmadie for sorting and baling before being reprocessed. Here, the council will monitor the levels of recycled plastic bottles throughout the duration of the project.
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