Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Waste Incineration

Thursday 25 May 2023 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • We want to see less waste sent to incinerators, setting a statutory target to halve the 2019 level of residual waste by 2042.
  • We have legislated to prevent incinerators from accepting separately collected paper, metal, glass and plastic unless they have gone through recycling facilities first.
  • Crucial for plants to have correct permits and be correctly monitored by the Environment Agency, which imposes strict emissions limits.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Elliot Colburn
Environment
Context

The MP raises concerns about the environmental impact of waste being sent to incinerators.

Question

What steps she is taking to reduce the environmental impact of waste incineration. She notes that we want to see less waste going to incinerators and highlights the statutory target to halve the 2019 level of residual waste by 2042.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

We want to see less waste sent to incinerators, setting a statutory target to halve the 2019 level of residual waste by 2042. The Environment Agency inspects and audits energy from waste plants to ensure they comply with strict emissions limits.

Answered
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Q2 Elliot Colburn
Environment
Context

The MP raises concerns about the high level of harmful particulates coming out of the Beddington incinerator in his constituency.

Question

Only about 20% of the waste that goes into the Beddington incinerator is plastic, but it makes up three quarters of the harmful particulates. He asks if technology available to extract plastic before burning should be installed as soon as possible by all plants.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

We have legislated to prevent incinerators from accepting separately collected paper, metal, glass and plastic unless they have gone through recycling facilities first. We are trying to reduce all our waste but particularly plastic; less will be incinerated due to ongoing plastic packaging reforms.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Technology for extraction of plastic before burning was not specifically addressed.

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Q3 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Economy Climate Environment
Context

The MP raises the need for a circular economy to reduce waste incineration.

Question

As DEFRA's responsibility, she asks about plans to develop a truly circular economy that could create many more green jobs. She requests details on actions taken in this regard.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

We are committed to measures for introducing a much more circular economy, cutting resource use, recycling, reusing and refilling. Data is being gathered on the extended producer responsibility scheme (2024) and the deposit return scheme (2025), which along with consistent collections will reduce waste.

Answered
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Q4 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Environment
Context

The MP highlights the disproportionate placement of waste incinerators in deprived neighbourhoods and raises concerns about health risks.

Question

Waste incinerators are three times more likely to be built in deprived neighbourhoods than elsewhere. People there have twice as many lung conditions and seven times higher mortality rates. She asks if accurate, timely data is being collected to ensure emissions targets are not breached, putting local people at risk.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

Crucial for plants to have correct permits and be correctly monitored by the Environment Agency, which imposes strict emissions limits. Operators must monitor constantly and report back to ensure safety of nearby residents.

Answered
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