Oxford, England: The Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet yesterday endorsed the selection of contractors to be invited to submit detailed solutions for the treatment of residual wastes.
As all the outline submissions included the energy from waste (Efw) option, there is a strong likelihood that a new state of the art, possibly combined heat and power (CHP) incineration plant, will be the final outcome. The emphasis on Efw by the contractors involved was despite the council using a technology neutral approach to this early phase of the procurement process.
Speaking to MoreThanWaste, a spokesperson for the Council, said that they were not in a position to reveal the chosen contractors at the present time until formal notifications had been given to participants. However it is known that some of the big names including Cory Environmental, Sita, Veolia and WRG were among the eight contractors invited to submit outline proposals following advertising in the European Journal.
Artist's impression of a modern energy from waste plant - Cory's proposed Belvedere Efw facility
In recent years the idea of incineration has been often disparaged nationally, with strong opposition arising against any planning application submitted. This has meant that many local authorities have been afraid to push the option, though it was often kept in the mix of options available.
However there are now significant signs of the resurgence of energy from waste, i.e. incineration with energy and perhaps heat recovery. A recent report from Sustainable Development Commission Scotland, A Burning Issue – Energy from Waste in Scotland, said "..energy from waste may be, in the right circumstances, compatible with sustainable development and a move towards a Zero Waste society".
Also the leader of Worcestershire County Council recently expressed a personal view that energy from waste was the long term solution for his council’s area.
Even the Belvedere incinerator, which was dogged by a 15 year planning battle and major opposition, now has initial works ongoing at the site. This long delay is illustrative of the need to update planning legislation, which is currently being considered by Parliament.
Efw common in Europe
Oxfordshire considers that Efw is a proven technology and a major form of treatment used on mainland Europe, with no evidence that the process reduces the priority given to waste minimisation and recycling
In addition to plants in Britain (14), there are also Efw facilities in France (128), Germany (65), Denmark (30), Sweden (29), and Switzerland (28).
Recycling progress
Oxfordshire is amongst the best local authority recyclers in the country currently, with a recycling rate of 38.5% in 2006/07 which is likely to exceed 41% in 2007/08, breaking the 40% target two years in advance. Of equal importance, Oxfordshire produces the second lowest total waste arising per person of any county council. The combination of a high recycling rate and low waste production is the ideal, though the council would probably accept that there is still some way to go.
The Oxfordshire Joint Municipal Waste Strategy sets targets for increasing recycling and composting rates to 40% by 2009/10 and at least 55% by 2019/20, and to reduce waste growth to 0% per person per year by 2012.
Oxford Friends of the Earth are opposed to an incinerator due to a perceived damaging effect on recycling rates.
Andrew Wood, from Oxford Friends of the Earth said:
“Less waste, more recycling and the use of Mechanical Biological Treatment are better choices for our environment, and a low carbon economy. In a world of changing environmental and economic conditions, flexible technologies are needed. Incineration is inflexible, highly polluting in terms of carbon emissions, and with carbon pricing expected it's likely to become an expensive anachronism.”