Press Release
For immediate release
CIWM responds to BBC study on recycling rates and waste incineration
The recycling and waste sector has reduced its overall emissions by c.46% since 1990, the third biggest proportionate reduction of any sector, and currently produces c.8% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions.
Objective research into the recycling, waste and resource management sector is always welcome, and CIWM notes the BBC study on recycling rates and energy from waste - a collaboration between the BBC’s Climate and Science Team and the Shared Data Unit, issued 15 October 2024.
The BBC study raises some important issues, but also omits a number of key factors.
Energy from waste (EfW) currently plays an important role within the UK’s essential recycling and waste management services. It is well-established and robustly regulated technology, with professional operators responsibly treating over 14 million tonnes of society’s residual waste every year. The UK’s fleet of EfW facilities represents considerable investment by the public and private sector over recent years and has been delivered as part of the move away from landfill disposal – enabling a major and significant reduction in overall carbon emissions.
The unique nature of recycling, waste and resource management services also should be considered, where the first function is to manage, treat and dispose society’s wastes in order to protect human health and the environment. UK households and businesses currently produce c.66 million tonnes of this material each year.
Energy from waste facilities are designed as a transition technology, with an average expected operational life of 25-30 years. This should enable regulatory and market development to incentivise and enable waste prevention and recycling measures to improve overall resource efficiency.
The sector has a clear roadmap to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040, which includes measures to remove fossil fuel packaging (currently non-recyclable plastics) from EfW inputs, improve plant efficiency and deliver carbon capture, utilisation and storage for EfW facilities.
UK governments, local authorities and the waste sector must work together to quickly implement the current range of significant regulatory and financial mechanisms – including Extended Producer Responsibility, Consistent Recycling collections, Plastics Packaging Tax and the Emissions Trading Scheme for energy from waste plants – that should significantly increase recycling levels, further decarbonise the sector, and deliver greater resource efficiency for the UK.
ENDS
About CIWM:
CIWM (the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management) is the leading professional body for the resource and waste management sector representing over 7,000 individuals in the UK, Ireland and overseas. Established in 1898 - and now in its 125th year - CIWM is a non-profit making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues.
More information can be found at www.ciwm.co.uk
Press contact:
Austen Lees
T: 01923 608 360
M: 07773 813 210
E: austen@siriuscomms.co.uk