Stricter Standards for Waste Incinerators: What Councils Must Do

(Image: Peter Cripps Morning light on Newhaven waste incinerator, East Sussex UK. Household waste from Brighton and nearby areas is processed at Newhaven where it is burned to generate electricity for local homes)

The UK Government has announced an important policy shift aimed at tightening standards for new waste incinerators, meaning local councils will need to adapt their waste management strategies. With recycling rates stagnating over the past decade and nearly half of all municipal waste being incinerated in 2022/23, local authorities now face renewed pressure to lead the charge towards a circular economy.

Under the new regulations, incineration projects will only gain approval if they adhere to strict environmental and local criteria. Councils must prepare to align their waste management plans with these standards and prioritise recycling and resource recovery to meet national targets for economic growth, Net Zero emissions, and landfill reduction.

The Current Landscape: Why Change Is Needed

England’s recycling rates have plateaued, with only 40% of municipal waste being recycled last year. Meanwhile, 49% was incinerated, often including resources that could have been recovered. This reliance on incineration not only squanders valuable materials but also undermines efforts to transition to a circular economy.

Circular Economy Minister, Mary Creagh CBE MP has underscored the urgency of change: “For far too long, the nation has seen its recycling rates stagnate and relied on burning household waste. That ends today. New energy-from-waste plants must be efficient and support Net Zero and our economic growth mission before they can be built.”

Key Changes and Their Implications for Councils

The Government’s updated standards impose several requirements for waste incinerators that local councils must consider:

1. Carbon Capture and Efficiency: All new incinerators must be carbon-capture ready and maximise energy efficiency, including making use of the heat they generate. Councils planning to support or partner with developers on these projects must ensure proposals meet these benchmarks.
2. Air Quality Standards: Incinerators must comply with stringent pollution controls regulated by the Environment Agency. Councils must evaluate how these standards will affect existing and proposed facilities in their areas.
3. Demonstrating Local Benefits: Projects must show how they will reduce non-recyclable waste going to landfill and replace older, less efficient facilities. Councils will need to support developers in justifying the local environmental and economic benefits of these initiatives.
4. Alignment with Circular Economy Goals: Councils are encouraged to integrate government reforms such as Simpler Recycling, the Deposit Return Scheme, and Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging into their waste strategies. These initiatives aim to reduce residual waste and increase recycling, ultimately decreasing the demand for new incineration capacity.

Practical Steps for Councils

Councils have a pivotal role in implementing these changes and ensuring compliance with the new standards. Here is what they need to focus on:

1. Review Waste Management Plans: Councils should reassess their local waste management strategies to align with the government’s updated criteria. This includes identifying opportunities to enhance recycling infrastructure and reduce reliance on incineration.
2. Support Heat Networks: By collaborating with energy recovery facilities, councils can help establish district heat networks, using waste-generated heat to supply homes and businesses. This step will maximise the efficiency of existing and future incinerators.
3. Engage with Developers: Councils must work closely with incinerator developers to ensure projects meet the new requirements from the outset. This includes prioritising proposals that integrate carbon capture technology and contribute to decarbonisation efforts.
4. Educate Communities: Raising public awareness about recycling and resource recovery is essential to reducing residual waste. Councils should invest in campaigns to encourage behavioural change and build support for circular economy initiatives.

Balancing Capacity and Demand

New government projections indicate that by 2035, energy-from-waste plants will have the capacity to handle 18.8 million tonnes of residual waste annually. However, with reforms like Simpler Recycling and the Deposit Return Scheme, the country is expected to produce just 17.6 million tonnes of non-recyclable waste by 2042. This suggests limited need for additional incineration facilities, emphasising the importance of optimising existing infrastructure.

Head of Climate and Energy Policy at the Environmental Services Association, Charlotte Rule highlighted the sector’s role in meeting Net Zero goals: “Increasing recycling rates, developing carbon capture, and implementing district heat networks will support decarbonisation and contribute to the UK’s Net Zero ambitions.”

Final Thought: A Call to Action

For councils, the Government’s tougher stance on waste incinerators presents both a challenge and an opportunity. By embracing these changes, local authorities can play a vital role in creating a sustainable waste management system that benefits both communities and the environment.

It is time for councils to lead by example – rethinking their waste strategies, investing in innovative solutions, and championing a circular economy. With clear direction from the Government and support from communities, local authorities can help drive the shift towards a cleaner, greener future.