Almost half of all waste collected by local authorities in 2022/23 was incinerated with resources that could be recycled being lost
Press release from:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Mary Creagh CBE MP
New waste incinerators will only receive planning approval if they meet strict new local and environmental conditions, the Government announced on 30th December 2024.
“Over the last 14 years, England has seen recycling rates stall, meaning too much waste is dealt with through incineration or thrown in landfill. Almost half of all waste (49%) collected by local authorities in 2022/23 was incinerated, with just 40% recycled.
Under new plans, the government will only back projects if they meet strict local and environmental conditions.
Projects will need to maximise efficiency and support the delivery of economic growth, net zero and the move to a circular economy.
Marking a significant step in the government’s approach to dealing with waste in a way that works for communities and is fit for the future, and delivering on the Plan for Change, developers will have to demonstrate that their projects will help lower the amount of non-recyclable waste sent to landfill or enable the replacement of older, less efficient plants.
They will also need to outline that new projects are built Carbon Capture ready, once the requirements come into force. They will also need to show how they will make use of the heat they produce. This includes plants that produce fuels that can be used to decarbonise other sectors, such as aviation.”
Read the full press release
New evidence
In the Residual Waste Infrastructure Capacity Note
Tougher rules to restrict new waste incinerators
“Ministers say fresh rules announced today will limit the development of new waste incinerators, which burn rubbish to make electricity and emit gases that are harmful for the environment.”
“However campaigners believe the government’s acknowledgement that there is already enough capacity to cope means it is unlikely that any new incinerators will be built.”
It is clear that the age of waste incineration is over.
We hope that the government’s latest announcement will result in the abandonment of incineration schemes currently being proposed. This would free up funds to invest in the top tiers of the waste hierarchy, including the creation of many new jobs in the repair, reuse, redesign and recycling sectors.
Shlomo Dowen, National Co-ordinator, UK Without Incineration Network (UKWIN)
Read BBC News article
by Matt McGrath & Esme Stallard, BBC News Climate & Science