The Environmental Services Association (ESA) has said it is “incredibly disappointed” by today’s London-focused report accusing it of criticising energy from waste, “without offering any solutions”.
Published today by the London Assembly Environment Committee, the report looks at energy from waste in the capital (see letsrecycle.com story).
Cory recently revealed plans to develop a second EfW plant next to its existing Belvedere incinerator in south east London
‘Success story’
Responding to comments in the report, Jacob Hayler, ESA’s executive director, described the increase in the amount of London’s waste sent to EfW in the last decade as a “success story”.
And, he explained: “This is the waste left over after recycling which would otherwise be sent to landfill.”
Mr Hayler today emphasised that EfW has an “important role to play” in transitioning to a circular economy.
Rather than going to landfill, he said that left over waste “has been put to a further use to generate low-carbon electricity and heat for homes and businesses in the capital, thereby upholding the principles of the circular economy.”
Gap
“It is incredibly disappointing that the London Assembly Environment Committee has overlooked this. We are perplexed how the Committee sees EfW as a hindrance to recycling, despite the overarching evidence to the contrary,” Mr Hayler said. “And we are baffled how the report so readily highlights the treatment capacity gap in London while simultaneously criticising EfW operators and offering nothing in the way of solutions.”
ESA has previously warned that the UK will face a six million tonnes waste treatment capacity gap by 2030 (see letsrecycle.com story). And, the Association suggested that without action, five million UK homes could see their waste sent to landfill.
“We are perplexed how the Committee sees EfW as a hindrance to recycling, despite the overarching evidence to the contrary.”
Jacob Hayler
ESA
Mr Hayler continued: “The Mayor and the GLA cannot afford to overlook the importance of EfW in a holistic approach to waste management. We hope that the final report going to the Mayor next month has some actual policy recommendations grounded in reality and addressing the big challenges London faces.”
UKWIN
Meanwhile, UKWIN – the United Kingdom Without Incineration Network – has welcomed the London Assembly’s call to kerb incineration of waste.
Commenting on the Committee’s findings, UKWIN national coordinator, Shlomo Dowen said: “We hope London’s Mayor follows the Assembly’s advice and does everything he can to prevent more incinerators being built in London.”
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
