Norfolk seeks to avoid incineration in recycling strategy

Norfolk local authorities are finalising an integrated waste management plan for the county which will see it following government guidelines and also avoiding incineration as a major part of the strategy. Representatives from the county and eight district authorities are to meet on December 14 to finalise the strategy which could go out for final consultation by the end of the year. A central theme will the collection of dry recyclables and the development of markets within the region in line with the proximity principle which calls for waste to be handled as close to where it is generated as possible. Currently the county recycles 14% of its waste and sees the government’s targets of almost doubling this amount as “very challenging”. A key feature of the strategy will be composting with the diversion of as much biodegradable material as possible. Martin Scott of Norfolk County Council who is preparing the strategy said: “We are seriously looking at on farm composting as a major part of the strategy.” And, he added that there will be considerable emphasis on winning public support from the strategy. “We have several new ideas for delivering public awareness. We aim to take the message to the doorstep and will be putting a huge effort into this.” Two consultants are advising the Norfolk authorities, EnvirosAspinwall and Mott MacDonald. Further information about the project is available on the Norfolk integrated waste management website Norfolk resource-not-waste