|
SEPA ENERGY FROM WASTE REPORT FINDINGS
Two reports published by SEPA, evaluate outline waste treatment technologies and their benefits to sustainable waste management. The reports, which have been carried out by leading environmental research consultants AEA and Jacobs, bring together key recommendations on the future of energy recovery in
Scotland
.
Firstly, the AEA “Evaluation of Energy from Biowaste arisings and Forest residues in
Scotland
” report demonstrates how diverting 9.6 millions tones of waste from landfill could create some 7,200 jobs and produce 11 million MWh of energy. The report concludes that CHP technology should be the principal consideration for energy generation from EfW plants. Consideration should also be made with regards to availability of local resources and local need.
This report is available at: http://www.sepa.org.uk/pdf/nws/research/energy_from_biowaste.pdf
Secondly, The Jacobs report entitled “Development of a policy framework for the tertiary treatment of commercial and industrial wastes” explores and makes recommendations on the range of options available for commercial and industrial waste processing in
Northern Ireland
and
Scotland
. Treatment options were evaluated by assessing both the technology and environmental costs. It makes 10 recommendations. The primary conclusion is that energy recovery through combined heat and power systems either by anaerobic digestion or energy from waste is the preferred option for the tertiary treatment of commercial and industrial waste.
This report is available at: http://www.sepa.org.uk/pdf/nws/research/jacobs_report.pdf
0708
REPORT FROM CHARLIE DEVINE on his LARAC activities in
Scotland
since April
I have been asked to represent LARAC on the board of the Scottish Waste Resource Conference (formerly Eventful Scotland) which is due to take place on the 7and 8 October 2008. This is the main waste management event in
Scotland
involving both public and private sector waste management organisations and concludes with the annual dinner and Scottish recycling awards on 8 October.
I have also been asked to sit on the judging panel for the recycling awards as the local authority representative and I am looking forward to what looks like an interesting and lengthy day reviewing and judging the entries.
I also attended the WRAP Waste Protocol consultation and awareness event on the 2 June in
Glasgow
which was presented by Dr Nina Sweet from WRAP and Dr Peter Olsen from SEPA.
The main emphasis of the day was to discuss the introduction of PAS 110 and waste protocols in relation to the processing and collection of source segregated food waste and the use of the composted material by the horticultural industry. The audience consisted of local authorities, private waste companies, technology suppliers, the NFU, academics and regulators as well as representatives of WRAP.
Following the presentations, there were a number of debates in relation to collection systems, feed stocks, final use of the materials and one of the main issues was the concerns of the representatives from the Western Islands Council in relating to the inconsistency of approach between the Environment Agency and SEPA in relation to the types of material that are still considered to be waste after treatment if they fail to meet the six part test applied by SEPA.
The event was well received by those in attendance and copies of the presentations are available from the WRAP and EA websites and the results of the consultation process are due for publication in early August.
NEW RESEARCH INTO RECYCLING HOUSEHOLD PLASTICS TO BE LAUNCHED IN
SCOTLAND
New research from WRAP has found that recycling not just plastic bottles but other plastic packaging as well can be cost-effective and environmentally friendly. WRAP has just launched its first business plan for
Scotland
and, in this, proposes to review the outcomes of its mixed plastics research against
Scotland
's circumstances.
See news release:
http://www.wrap.org.uk/wrap_corporate/news/new_research_into.html
0608
REAL NAPPIES BRING REAL SAVINGS FOR SCOTTISH FAMILIES
Scottish families can pocket more than £500 in extra cash, simply by choosing real nappies instead of disposable options. The figures, which have been revealed by the Community Recycling Network for Scotland (CRNS) during Recycle Week (2-6 June), show that reusable nappies can save families up to 50% on the cost of buying nappies for a child as they progress from birth to potty, that can be as much as £1,200 per infant.
South Lanarkshire
based Health Resource Worker Gerry Ward commented: “It’s true that the convenience of disposable nappies does come with a huge cost, not just financial, but also in terms of the increased waste which they create. Using real nappies reduces individual household waste which goes to landfill sites, which saves the Earth’s natural resources."
As 8 million disposable nappies are thrown away every day in the UK, disposable nappies make a significant contribution to the amount of waste sent to landfill sites as 4% of a household’s annual waste creation. Disposable nappies take an estimated 500 years to decompose in landfills, and during incineration they can emit dangerous fumes.
Changeworks, an Edinburgh-based CRNS member organisation, recently distributed 1,747 real nappy trial and lending packs. After trialling real nappies for just one week, 75% of families switched to real nappy usage which will divert 888 tonnes of waste from landfill disposal every year.
Through a similar trial scheme run by the Highland Real Nappy Project, 192 families were converted to real nappy usage and diverted 163 tonnes of waste from landfill disposal.
CRNS Network Director Iain Gulland said: “The CRNS is a membership organisation for community based groups involved in recycling, reuse, composting and waste prevention activity. Like all community recycling activities, real nappy use delivers real social and economic rewards, as well as being beneficial for the environment. As more support builds for real nappy use in
Scotland
, it is important that real nappy awareness schemes continue to receive support from the public and Government bodies alike. As local authorities face the challenge of meeting increasing reduction targets for landfill-destined waste, real nappy schemes and other community recycling projects can provide alternative waste reduction and recycling solutions to help meet these targets.”
Excerpts taken from The BIG Partnership
To read the complete article go to: www.bigpartnership.co.uk
0608
|
