Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Waste Incineration Facilities

11 February 2020 · 13 other contributors · 13,274 words

Opened by Sharon Hodgson Lab Washington and Gateshead South

Responding minister: Rebecca Pow

ClimateEnvironment

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Sharon Hodgson raised concerns about waste incineration facilities in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • MP opposes planning application for a waste incineration gasification facility in Hillthorn Park due to public health risks and environmental concerns.
  • Darren Jones highlights significant increase in waste leading to fly population spikes near Avonmouth waste processing plants.
  • Jones calls for broader powers for the Environment Agency to address minor and frequent breaches effectively.

Key requests to Government

The MP asks for more recycling as a solution instead of incineration. She also questions how the Government expects to meet its carbon-neutral target by 2050 while approving such applications. She suggests introducing a tax on incineration to encourage higher recycling rates, similar to the landfill tax. I ask the Government and Enfield Council to pause, review and consult on the decision regarding the new incinerator in Edmonton until rigorous independent evidence can inform a proper decision. I also invite the Minister to come to Edmonton and chair a roundtable discussion with my constituents, Enfield Council and local environmental groups. Jones requests that the Environment Agency be granted broader powers to address minor and frequent breaches swiftly and effectively. He also calls for a review of the planning system to consider cumulative impact and proximity issues when granting permits and planning permissions.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Sharon Hodgson Lab Washington and Gateshead South

The MP opposes a planning application for a waste incineration gasification facility in her constituency, Hillthorn Park. She cites opposition from over 10,800 constituents who signed a petition. Concerns include public health risks due to lack of transparency on technology and safety standards, carbon emissions contributing to climate change, noise and pollution from HGV traffic, impact on local roads, and potential devaluation of property values if the plant is built. I am concerned about the construction of a new energy recovery facility in Edmonton, which is one of London's three major waste incineration facilities. There are over 45 years old, and the current facility will be replaced with a new energy recovery facility that is expected to produce more than 700,000 tonnes of CO2 every year. The evidence suggests that this new incinerator will emit dangerous pollutants far beyond EU toxic emissions limits, leading to public health consequences such as asthma attacks and respiratory disease. Additionally, the construction site is in close proximity to schools, which raises concerns about the long-term impacts on children's developing lungs. Darren Jones is concerned about the significant increase in waste passing through local facilities in Avonmouth, his constituency. This has led to an annual spike in fly populations during hot weather periods due to stored waste bundles on open land. He highlights that Bristol City Council's planning policies aimed at favouring the circular economy were overridden by national authorities, concentrating waste processing plants without local consent. The issue persists despite efforts by local officials, indicating a need for more robust action.

Other contributors (13)
  • Alan Whitehead Lab Southampton North

    He commended the debate on waste incineration, expressing concerns about new large incinerators and their impact on moving towards a net zero economy. He highlighted that only 16 out of 44 existing incinerators enable combined heat and power with minimal energy recovery. Whitehead urged for resources to help local authorities move up the waste hierarchy without resorting to long-term contracts with waste companies.

  • Alun Cairns

    Acknowledges the expertise in communities built up by groups scrutinising legislation and regulations closely, highlighting a specific example from his constituency where an action group caused issues for the proposers of a development.

  • Bambos Charalambous Lab Southgate and Wood Green

    Agrees that much more needs to be done to encourage recycling to reduce reliance on incineration or landfill.

  • Caroline Nokes Con Romsey and Southampton North

    Expressed concerns over the proposed Wheelabrator incinerator project in her constituency, highlighting doubts about its environmental benefits. Emphasised the need for better waste management practices to extract reusable materials before incineration. Called for an incineration tax similar to landfill taxes and urged stricter emissions regulations beyond current permitted levels. Nokes asked the Minister if she could address a point about providing a timescale, indicating that the Minister had 12 minutes left to speak on the matter of waste hierarchy. Asked the Minister if current standards and EA monitoring for waste incineration facilities are sufficient, despite reassurances given. Noted that the proposal in her constituency is not municipal but commercial.

  • Darren Jones Lab Bristol North West

    Jones inquired whether the cumulative impact of multiple facilities in an area should be assessed alongside individual applications, seeking clarity on the Minister's position.

  • Elliot Colburn Lab Carshalton and Wallington

    Points out that the issue is not just about the incinerators but also includes traffic generated to transport waste, adding pressure on local roads and CO2 emissions. Elliot Colburn criticised the Beddington incinerator in his constituency, highlighting its impact on air quality and traffic. He mentioned recent emissions figures showing breaches at the site and called for increased air quality monitoring. Colburn argued that alternatives like mechanical and biological treatment are more environmentally friendly than incineration and landfill.

  • Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry

    Does the hon. Gentleman agree that factually based information about proposed and existing sites is crucial, to enable local people to take decisions that will affect them and future generations?

  • Jane Hunt

    Jane Hunt highlighted health concerns related to PM2.5 emissions from incinerators, particularly for elite athletes who breathe more air per minute than average individuals. She also expressed environmental worries and called for a moratorium on new incinerator construction.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Jim Shannon praised the efforts to encourage recycling and reduce landfill waste in his local area, highlighting a project that could divert up to 250,000 tonnes of municipal waste from landfill per year. He noted that the Becon consortium's proposal includes an energy-from-waste plant with an incinerator, which would create approximately £240 million investment and 340 jobs. The project aims to increase recycling rates by up to 10% and contribute to Northern Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions targets. Agreed with the need for accountability in recycling processes and questioned where recyclable waste ends up after collection.

  • Nick Thomas-Symonds Lab Torfaen

    Constituents are concerned that the voice of the local community is heard throughout the planning process for large projects such as waste incineration facilities.

  • Peter Grant unspecified unspecified

    Asked whether similar legislation to Scotland's requirement for incinerators to remove metals and plastics before incineration should be implemented in England. There is a major problem with waste incineration facilities, as many MPs from different political standpoints have highlighted. The speaker questioned how the planning framework and energy production regulation became so out of touch with people's needs. He also mentioned steps taken by the Scottish Government to balance energy production and health concerns.

  • Stephen Flynn SNP Aberdeen South

    Expresses concern about the potential public health impact on residents and children at a local primary school due to an incinerator being built nearby.

  • Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath

    Wera Hobhouse expressed concern about waste incineration being seen as a green solution, arguing that it creates high carbon emissions and discourages recycling. She mentioned that every tonne of municipal waste incinerated releases between 0.7 to 1.7 tonnes of CO2, and suggested an incineration tax similar to the landfill tax. Intervened to say that councils are often cash-strapped, which forces them to rely on recycling routes that may not be ideal. Hobhouse argued against playing the blame game, stating that cash-strapped councils sought affordable alternatives to landfill and needed more support from central government for effective recycling schemes.

Government Response

Rebecca Pow

The Government's commitment to reducing, reusing and recycling waste is reflected in the Environment Bill. The bill aims for a 65% municipal waste recycling rate by 2035 and a minimum of 70% packaging waste recycling rate by 2030. Energy from waste plants are regulated by the Environment Agency with strict emission limits to ensure minimal impact on air quality. The Government will invest £800 million in carbon capture technology to further reduce emissions. Local authorities remain responsible for their own areas and must follow development plans, with the Planning Inspectorate assessing all relevant material planning considerations for appeals.

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