Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Waste Incineration: Permit Variation

01 December 2022 · 3 other contributors · 10,173 words

Opened by Elliot Colburn Con Carshalton and Wallington

Responding minister: Rebecca Pow

Environment

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Elliot Colburn raised concerns about waste incineration: permit variation in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The Beddington incinerator has faced issues including breaches of emissions limits and road damage due to waste vehicle movements.
  • Colburn requests mechanisms for greater community influence over permit variations and conditions such as metal detectors to extract harmful metals.
  • Colburn advocates for clear recycling targets for operators and support to prevent gas canisters from ending up in bins.

Key requests to Government

Colburn calls for a mechanism to ensure communities have greater influence over repeated major permit variations. He also requests conditions be added for permit variations such as metal detectors and magnets to extract harmful metals before burning, and support for efforts to prevent gas canisters from ending up in bins. Additionally, he advocates for clear recycling targets for operators.

How the debate unfolded

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

Opened the debate

Elliot Colburn Con Carshalton and Wallington

The Beddington incinerator in Elliot Colburn's constituency has faced numerous issues since its commissioning, including breaches of emissions limits, delays in restoration projects, road damage due to waste vehicle movements, nitrogen dioxide emissions from gas canisters, and a decrease in recycling rates. The operator Viridor submitted an application to vary the environmental permit to enable enhanced operations at the site, which would increase annual processing capacity by 26%. Colburn highlighted that there is extremely limited community engagement and influence over these processes.

Other contributors (3)
  • Alex Sobel Lab Co-op Leeds Central and Headingley

    Discussed the need for changes in the waste management system, highlighting concerns over incineration capacity exceeding genuinely residual combustible waste. Mentioned CO2 emissions from incinerators, stating that roughly 1 tonne of CO2 is released for each tonne of waste incinerated and about half derives from fossil sources such as plastic. Raised issues with Environment Agency data on air quality and the need for better resource allocation to local authorities due to budget cuts.

  • Jane Hunt Lab Bristol North West

    Expressed frustration over the construction of a new incinerator in Loughborough, citing overcapacity in UK incineration and concerns about PM2.5 emissions affecting health, especially for elite athletes. Raised issues with the viability of best available techniques and called for targets on air quality under the Environment Act. We are already over capacity before new incinerators come online, suggesting a moratorium to assess other waste management options. Discussed air quality concerns and the impact on elite athletes in her constituency, raised questions about PM2.5 targets and the finalisation of statutory instruments by DEFRA to address these issues.

  • Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley

    Mr Moore expressed deep concerns about the environmental impact of waste incineration, specifically a planned incinerator in Marley near Keighley. He criticized Bradford Council for granting planning permission despite widespread local opposition. Mr Moore highlighted issues with inadequate consultation processes and unreliable pollution data modelling, citing examples such as the disparity between weather station elevation and proposed incinerator location. He raised concerns about particulate matter emissions affecting air quality and public health. Additionally, he criticised the separation of traffic flow impacts from the permit review process. Stressed the importance of reducing waste through reuse and recycling schemes as part of the resources and waste strategy, urging Bradford Council to focus more on these methods instead of incineration.

Government Response

Rebecca Pow

Provided an overview of the government's stance on waste incineration, addressing concerns about air quality, public health risks, and the future of energy-from-waste plants. Emphasised that modern incinerators are not a significant risk to public health when well-run and regulated. Stressed the importance of reducing residual waste through recycling schemes. Reiterated that DEFRA has no plans for a moratorium on new energy-from-waste capacity in England, as the market will determine future infrastructure needs based on economic viability.

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