Friends of the Earth hit out at major waste generators

A study by Friends of the Earth lambastes the claims by waste companies that incinerators produce green and renewable energy. The study shows that more carbon dioxide is produced from fossil fuels burnt in incinerators (for example plastics) than from a gas-fired power station.

The independent study, conducted for Friends of the Earth, shows that: "waste incinerators that generate electricity emit a third more greenhouse gases for the electricity they produce than gas fired power stations. The situation will get worse in the future, as power generation from gas (and even coal) becomes more efficient, whilst carbon dioxide emissions from incinerators are predicted to increase due to a higher percentage of fossil-fuel containing plastics in the waste they burn."

The study also shows that the UK could invest in a real renewable energy-from-waste technology, anaerobic digestion, which takes kitchen and commercial food waste and converts it into methane that can then be burnt. The resulting residue can then be used as compost.

Friends of the Earth's Senior Waste Campaigner, Dr Michael Warhurst said:

"The Government and waste industry must stop peddling the myth that waste incineration is green energy. Incinerators can generate electricity, but they produce more climate emissions than a gas-fired power station.The Government must make it clear that they will not support the building of such polluting plants. Using these incinerators to produce energy will undermine Government attempts to tackle climate change. Ministers must back truly renewable energy sources instead."

full statement here


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