What is the preferred technology Suffolk has chosen?
After much research in to different technological options, a paper
went to Cabinet in October 2007. The Cabinet then took the
view that Energy from Waste is likely to be the most appropriate
solution for the treatment of residual waste in Suffolk in the
future. As we move forward in the project to procure a final
solution we keep an open mind about technologies. If a bidder
comes to us with an alternative solution which also works for us,
we will consider it alongside all other bids.
What is Energy from Waste?
Energy from Waste (EfW) is a process by which energy stored in
waste is extracted through incineration, and then used to generate
steam and/or electricity.
Why is Energy from Waste a good environmental choice?
- It enables us to divert waste from landfill. Landfill not only
creates large amounts of methane (one of the most potent greenhouse
gases), it is also becoming increasingly expensive and is in short
supply in Suffolk;
- Using waste to generate electricity is more sustainable than
using fossil fuels, which are rapidly running out;
- High recycling countries, such as Germany and Sweden use EfW
technology as part of their effective waste management
strategy;
- It is one of the most stringently regulated industrial
processes.
Why does Energy from Waste make good financial sense?
- Energy from Waste is the most cost effective waste disposal
option for waste that cannot be recycled or composted;
- Energy from Waste is £12million per year cheaper than the other
main thermal treatment option, Mechanical Biological Treatment
(MBT) with Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF);
- MBT with RDF is even more expensive than continuing to landfill
and paying all the taxes and fines;
- MBT with RDF would cost 2% more than the whole Council
budget.
Why is Energy from Waste a workable solution for
Suffolk?
- Energy from Waste is a tried and tested technology in the
UK;
- RDF is difficult to get rid of in the UK as there is a limited
market for this type of fuel;
- The private sector and banks tell us that Energy from Waste is
the least risky option;
- Council experts have advised that Energy from Waste can divert
what we need to from landfill.
What do Suffolk residents think about Energy from Waste?
A survey commissioned in 2007 by the Suffolk Waste
Partnership shows that 63% of Suffolk residents who responded to
the survey said that they believed that thermal waste treatment
(such as EfW) could work well in Suffolk as it has done for other
countries in Europe.
Other thermal waste treatment options:
Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) with Refuse
Derived Fuel
involves mechanical sorting to take out some of the waste that
can be recycled. The remaining waste is then dried out and
used as a fuel that can be incinerated to recover energy.
Anaerobic Digestion (AD)
is a process where biodegradable material is encouraged to break
down in the absence of oxygen. This changes the nature and
volume of material and produces a gas from which energy can be
recovered. AD can only be used for processing organic matter,
which does not include manmade materials such as plastic.
When will we know what technology Suffolk will definitely
have?
Although we have stated a preference for Energy from Waste,
contractors may bid to us with a technology which also works for
us. We started to talk to potential bidders from earlier this
Spring and this will be a long process of us narrowing down to a
preferred bidder. It will be at this point that we have a
clearer idea which technology will be built to treat our residual
waste. Which ever technology we have, the earliest it will be
up and running will be the end of 2014.
What do modern day Energy from Waste plants look like?
A selection of images of current and planned
plants can be accessed via the link below.
EfWimages.pdf (PDF, 395kb)
Won't having an incinerator stop people recycling? Won't all
the waste just go to be burnt instead?
No. The county council and the borough and district
councils (which together make up the Suffolk Waste Partnership)
remain committed to promoting waste reduction, reuse and
recycling. The Suffolk Waste Partnership has a Joint Municipal
Waste Management Strategy, which was reviewed in 2007, and this
details the commitment to waste reduction, reuse and
recycling. If an Energy from Waste facility is built to treat
our residual waste, it will not use materials the public have
sorted for recycling. No decision has been made yet that an
Energy from Waste plant will definitely be the technology Suffolk
will use to treat its residual
waste.