There is a serious risk that a new incinerator will be built in the Bristol area. Incinerators rightly have a bad name, so they are now called Energy from Waste facilities. Friends of the Earth is totally opposed to such plants because they are wasteful and they produce nasty pollution, including dioxins. Also, incinerators need paper and plastics to keep burning. Paper and plastics can be recycled, so there is a risk that the Councils will recycle less to keep the incinerator going.

We in the old Avon area throw away a lot of rubbish. While some is recycled or composted, most of it is sent by train to distant landfill. Landfill is not a very environment-friendly way of disposing of rubbish, especially for biodegradable waste, which rots, releasing methane, which is a bad greenhouse gas.

We certainly could recycle a lot more of our waste. South Gloucestershire recycles and composts less than half of our waste, and Bristol recycles less. FoE says we could recycle at least two thirds, but it does need a lot of effort and expense. Meanwhile we do need to dispose of the rest.

The Avon area Councils (now known as the West of England) are trying to decide how to dispose of the waste they don't recycle or compost. There is a consultation going on now until 23rd March. There is more information at the website www.rubbishorresource.co.uk and everyone is invited to respond.

There will also be a roadshow and public meetings, including Monday 26th February at @Bristol and Thursday March 1st at Cleve Rugby Club, Mangotsfield. The public meetings start at 6pm and end at 8:30pm.

A list of eight options is given in the consultation for ways to dispose of this waste. These include carrying on with landfill (option SQ) and incineration (option 1). We do not think either of these is acceptable. The other six options include various combinations of sorting, composting, digesting, heating and burning.

FoE does not yet have a clear view of which is best. Digestion (option 4) is a good option because it deals with the biodegradable waste and generates energy without pollution.

Pyrolysis (option 7) is also good because it generates energy efficiently and can be done in very small plants spread round the area rather than one big one. This means less waste lorries crossing Bristol each day, and no-one has to suffer from living next to a big plant. I have been to the pilot plant at Avonmouth and was impressed by how little pollution in produced.

FoE will be responding to this consultation in due course, but please respond directly and let me know your views at alan@crumbly.plus.com.

Alan Pinder

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