Waste to Energy (WtE)
In the early 2000s Sweden along with Denmark banned landfill. So now Sweden puts only 1% of its waste into landfill compared with 28% in the UK. In landfill the refuse releases the potent greenhouse gas, methane and poisons the ground water.
Sweden only recycles about 50% of its rubbish, the rest is incinerated to produce electricity, flue gases to warm housing and inert ash. This means they are at odds with the EU Directive that 65% of waste must be recycled by 2035. So, the EU should revise this inappropriate target and, regrettably, we are OUT anyway.
The UK’s solution has been to build more Waste to Energy (WtE) plants, now 53 in total. And the ex-large coal power station of Ferrybridge is now burning wates for electricity. We could site some WtE plants near landfill sites and reduce them. The ash could be put into the growing hole in the landfill site.
So, Waste to Energy plants should be a major part of the Governments Infrastructure Build, Build, Build policy.
But that not the only waste that can be used. Food waste, cooking fats and left-over used grain from distillery and brewery processes can also be converted into useful fuel. These are processed in anaerobic digesters and converted into fuel. Methane is often produces during these processes and also occurs naturally, and this is a gas capable of powering machines. Methane if let into the atmosphere is a Green House Gas so using it to benefit humanity is progress.