Extensive research has confirmed the environmental superiority of recycling over incineration in the overwhelming majority of cases
Liz Goodwin, WRAP
The Government-funded body has claimed that if outlets for materials such as paper, plastic and metals exist, it is best for local authorities to try to use them.
The advice comes in a response to a question on storage posted on WRAP's Market Conditions Forum, a portal which was set up last month to help share information and dispense advice following the downturn in the market for recovered materials (see letsrecycle.com story).
While WRAP said that some increase in storage was “inevitable” at present – which has been seen in the increasing number of councils and waste management firms storing materials such as cans (see letsrecycle.com story) – it warned against this as a general solution, indicating that it did not expect the market for many materials to recover in the short-term.
The organisation added that some mills did not accept paper over six months old due to problems de-inking fibres, and that storing material outside in rain and sunlight could also cause materials such as paper and plastic to degrade.
WRAP said: “In general authorities should try to avoid storing materials simply to see whether prices recover. If there is an outlet for material available it is best to use it.”
Incineration
In the market conditions forum, WRAP also offered advice on whether stored material could be sent for incineration – thereby acknowledging that this was a route which some councils may be considering.
However, while the organisation said this was better than sending material to landfill and could help councils with their LATS obligations, it pointed out that this was not an option that would be available to all councils and that much capacity was tied up in long-term arrangements.
It also pointed out the possible connotations, commenting: “If you do choose this route, it will be important to consider carefully how the decision is explained to the public. WRAP would be able to help with that if necessary.”
The comment come in the wake of widespread discussion in the national press about the issue of waste and recycling, following claims in the Telegraph that material sent for recycling was not being recycled (see letsrecycle.com story).
Writing to the Telegraph on December 31, WRAP chief executive Liz Goodwin stressed that recycling should take precedence over incineration.
Dr Goodwin claimed that a lot of waste could not be burned due to its low calorific value and that “extensive research has confirmed the environmental superiority of recycling over incineration in the overwhelming majority of cases”.
In another letter to the paper on December 22, minister for waste, Jane Kennedy, urged the public and councils to keep recycling.
She said: “It is very important that we all continue to recycle what we can. We really don't want recyclable materials to end up in landfill. Recent figures are to be celebrated. Ninety per cent of local authorities in November were meeting or exceeding their recycling targets. England alone recycled 9.7 million tons of municipal waste in 2007-08. It's a pity that the Tories won't commit to helping and working constructively with them.”
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