"..energy from waste may be, in the right circumstances, compatible with sustainable development and a move towards a Zero Waste society"
Edinburgh: The Scottish Government’s aspiration to move towards a Zero Waste Society is a good basis for deciding the best way forward, according to the Sustainable Development Commission Scotland (SDCS), though conditions need to be met to ensure that development takes place sustainably.
This conclusion was arrived at by the SDCS in their report, A Burning Issue – Energy from Waste in Scotland, on advice requested by the Scottish Government on waste policy with special emphasis on energy created from waste.
There is a danger that an energy from waste (Efw) policy can be at the expense of recycling, for example where large waste tonnages are contractually committed to incineration. The Commission correctly says that thermal treatment should only take place on residual wastes after materials have been extracted for recycling or composting.
Internal view of an energy from waste plant emissions stack as it passes through the roof structure
The energy from waste systems should have a minimum efficiency level of 60%, a further ‘condition’ amongst others in the report.
Efw should have a limited role in an integrated waste management strategy for waste minimisation and improved re-use and recycling, according to the commission.
SDCS recommends that the Scottish Government should revise the National Waste Plan and set increased targets for waste minimisation and recycling in the post 2020 period, moving beyond the current waste stabilisation target.
The overall conclusion of the Commission from the report is that:
“..energy from waste may be, in the right circumstances, compatible with sustainable development and a move towards a Zero Waste society.”
The Commission also recognises that in some European member states Efw has successfully been integrated into strong waste minimisation and recycling strategies, and successful diversion of waste from landfill.
The report is a further step towards re-establishing energy from waste as an important component of an integrated waste management strategy.
Further information
To download a copy of the report visit the Sustainability Commission’s web site.