{"id":883,"date":"2017-09-10T08:43:40","date_gmt":"2017-09-10T08:43:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theskipcompany.co.uk\/blog\/?p=883"},"modified":"2017-08-10T08:46:31","modified_gmt":"2017-08-10T08:46:31","slug":"environment-secretary-urged-to-reconsider-resource-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theskipcompany.co.uk\/blog\/environment-secretary-urged-to-reconsider-resource-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"Environment Secretary Urged to Reconsider Resource Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In July 2017, Environment Secretary Michael Gove announced plans for a renewed strategy on waste and resources. However, in the latest version of its Residual Waste Infrastructure Review, published in August 2017, resource efficiency consultancy Eunomia urges Mr. Gove to concentrate on the higher, more favourable stages of the so-called waste hierarchy, rather than the recovery of energy from waste materials.<\/p>\n

According to the waste hierarchy, which is defined in The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011, the recovery of energy from waste materials is considered favourable only to disposal \u2013 an absolute last resort \u2013 and less favourable than recycling, reuse or waste prevention. Furthermore, a recent study by Eunomia, which has been monitoring the growth of residual waste treatment facilities since 2009, suggests that the United Kingdom will reach excess capacity, in terms of energy from waste, within the next three or four years. The residual waste treatment capacity has already more than doubled, from 6.3 million tonnes to 13.5 million tonnes, since 2009\/10, according to the study.<\/p>\n

Even in the best-case scenario, where only the waste treatment facilities already under construction are completed and operate at full capacity, Eunomia claims that the recycling rate would be limited to 63%. If 40% of the waste plants at the planning stage are built and operate at full capacity, the recycling rate would be limited to 57%. Both scenarios assume that the amount of waste exported as Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) remains constant at its current level.<\/p>\n

Even if the United Kingdom hits existing and future targets for recycling, which will reduce the amount of residual waste, excess capacity could reach 9.5 million tonnes by 2030\/31, according to the study. If the country hits existing household recycling targets for 2020 and the recycling rate remains constant for the next decade, the current waste treatment capacity appears sufficient, Eunomia claims, allowing for a modest increase in commercial and industrial recycling, even if no waste is exported as RDF.<\/p>\n

In June 2017, the resource and waste management Trade Association Group (TAG) wrote to the recently appointed Secretary of State, calling on him to reverse the decline in recycling rates. TAG brings together organisations from across the sector, including the Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association (ADBA), the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), the Renewable Energy Association and other influential bodies. Mr. Gove has already committed to publishing the 25 Year Environmental Plan for the Environment, which was delayed by the vote to leave the European Union and the subsequent General Election.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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