London Waste is owned by SITA and the North London Waste Authority and is believed to be talking to the Department of Trade and Industry about the application. No formal decision to go ahead with the MRF has yet been made but the tonnage handled could be as high as 100,000 tonnes. A decision is likely to be reached in the next couple of weeks.
London Waste is currently waiting to hear whether its application to build an extension (Edmonton B) to its energy from waste plant will receive government approval. Construction of a MRF is seen as helping to show that the public/private company is keen on recycling as well as incineration. And, the MRF plan fits in with the Mayor of London's draft waste strategy for London which looks at the pre-treatment of waste before it goes into the incinerator.
The Edmonton plant currently takes waste from Hackney, Haringey, Enfield, Waltham Forest, Islington, Camden and Barnet and although negotiations with boroughs are still taking place it is expected that recyclables will come from these areas.
While London Waste has not confirmed its plans it employed a recycling officer, Jon Clark, in August.
Paul Egan, spokesman for London Waste, said: “We are looking at various options for turning Edmonton into an integrated site, however no decision has been made. A lot of what we do will hang on Edmonton B and if we get the go ahead then there will be exciting things on the horizon for the recycling side. Edmonton B is an important part of what will be an integrated approach to waste management. We expect a decision will be made by Patricia Hewitt quite soon.”
He added: “We think that recycling is important and we also believe that there are ways that energy from waste and recycling can work together rather than being seen as complete opposites. There is a need for energy from waste and recycling in London as London's landfill space runs out in 2006 and the home counties don't want to deal with the capital's waste.”
“We have been looking at the GLA's waste strategy and we will be doing everything we can to provide an integrated service for London. We are looking very seriously at the possibilities. Our 43-acre site is ideally located in London. The A10 and the North Circular are very close and the Lea canal runs next to the site so there may be opportunities for waste by water.”
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