Sheffield Incinerator

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The Sheffield Incinerator is a modern incinerator which treats Sheffield's household waste. It is notable as it not only provides electricity from the combustion of waste but also supplies heat to a local district heating scheme, making it one of the most advanced, energy efficient incineration plants in the UK. In 2004, the district heating network prevented 15,108 tonnes of CO2 from being released from buildings across the city, compared to energy derived from fossil fuels.[1] The incinerator is presently owned by Veolia Environmental Services.

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[edit] Controversy

In 2001 ownership of the incinerator was transferred to Onyx UK (now Veolia Environmental) from Sheffield City Council. Later that year the old incinerator at ceased operations after protests by the public and Greenpeace. At the time it was declared the worst incinerator in England.[2] The incinerator was later refitted and modernised bringing it into line with the Waste Incineration Directive, with strict environmental standards.

Detractors state the new incinerator is still responsible for 31,308 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annum that would be prevented were the waste to be recycled, even taking into account that the incinerator recovers heat and power.[3] As the UK Government's new waste strategy[4] appears to support recycling and anaerobic digestion over CHP Incineration for most waste streams, the role of the incinerator may have to change.

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[edit] External links

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Topics related to waste management

[edit] References

  1. ^ District heating. www.veoliaenvironmentalservices.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-03-08.
  2. ^ Demolition of 'worst incinerator in England'. news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved on 2006-11-27.
  3. ^ Sheffield Green Party Waste Strategy 2007. www.sheffieldgreenparty.org.uk. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  4. ^ UK Government Waste Strategy 2007. www.defra.gov.uk. Retrieved on 2007-05-24.