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Waste Incineration and Recycling Rates
12 January 2021
Lead MP
Elliot Colburn
Responding Minister
Rebecca Pow
Tags
ClimateLocal Government
Word Count: 9560
Other Contributors: 6
At a Glance
Elliot Colburn raised concerns about waste incineration and recycling rates in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Colburn urges the Government to move towards a circular economy, prioritise recycling, and reduce the need for incineration. He asks for an all-in deposit return scheme, better waste sorting methods, and increased responsibilities on producers to minimise packaging and encourage environmentally-friendly options. Sobel asked the Minister to provide funding for changing collection vehicles, bins and boxes, and other associated costs. He also requested a programme to support the development of anaerobic digestion, noting the need for more innovative measures, alternative solutions, and a green industrial revolution towards a circular economy.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Elliot Colburn is concerned about the emissions breaches, inadequate air quality monitoring, and increased traffic in his Carshalton and Wallington constituency due to the Beddington incinerator. He highlighted issues such as delays in promised infrastructure improvements, wildlife habitat damage, and repeated exceedances of carbon monoxide limits. The new south London waste plan is set to increase waste sent to Sutton by over 1 million tonnes annually, exacerbating existing problems with traffic and air pollution. Alex Sobel expressed concern about the UK's low recycling rate, which is closer to 45% when incinerated waste is excluded. He highlighted that Leeds City Council lacks funding for kerb-side glass and Tetra Pak recycling despite strong political will. The council faces £100 million in cost pressures due to covid and austerity measures, leading to proposals for the closure of Ellar Ghyll recycling centre. Sobel noted an increase in household recycling during the pandemic but stressed that it has increased costs for councils which have not been met by the Government.
Alex Sobel
Lab/Co-op
Leeds North West
He raised concerns about his council's plans related to waste management and highlighted issues around food waste collection and anaerobic digestion processes.
Craig Williams
Con
Montgomeryshire
Research by WRAP Cymru found that up to 75% of waste in Wales could be recycled instead of being incinerated. Craig Williams expressed concern about the development of an incinerator in Montgomeryshire, advocating for proper planning and consideration during the pandemic. He highlighted the role of non-recyclable waste storage and the importance of anaerobic digesters which are receiving private investment. He emphasised the importance of moving towards a circular economy through 'reduce, reuse, recycle' actions as part of the Government's intention to limit waste that needs treatment at energy-from-waste facilities.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
The MP expressed concerns about the over-reliance on incineration as a means of waste management, citing the environmental impact and inefficiency. He highlighted the increase in CO2 emissions from incinerators and stressed that more capacity would exacerbate pollution and hinder recycling efforts. The MP also mentioned specific instances where colleagues have raised issues with incineration plans, urging for clarity on cross-border waste movements and cooperation between UK nations.
Esther McVey
Con
Tatton
Called the Front-Bench speakers to speak at about 5.10 pm and noted that people have approximately six or seven minutes for their speeches.
Jane Hunt
Con
Loughborough
Welcomes aspects of the Government's approach to waste and recycling, such as commitment to creating greater consistency in recycling collections. Raises concern over building new incinerators due to environmental and health impacts, particularly near elite athlete training grounds. Asks for stricter particulate matter limits and carbon capture requirements at construction stage. Expresses worry that incinerator operations will increase vehicle emissions and hinder net zero emissions goals. She raised confusion among students about recycling due to varying practices across different areas and stressed the importance of consistent collections under the Environment Bill.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Mr. Moore expressed concern about the decision-making process regarding new waste incinerator applications, particularly focusing on how permits are awarded without considering overall traffic emissions impact on air quality. He also highlighted that despite local opposition, a green light was given for the Aire Valley incinerator project near Keighley and mentioned Public Health England's study findings on particulate matter emissions from waste incinerators affecting human health. He shared his industry experience and highlighted the need for minimising waste reaching lower levels of the waste hierarchy, supporting actions to reduce the amount of waste that goes to incineration or landfill.
Government Response
Rebecca Pow
Government Response
The minister thanked all hon. Members for their contributions, acknowledging concerns about waste incineration and recycling rates. She highlighted that Sutton is achieving a recycling rate of approximately 49%, one of the highest in London. The Government aims to reduce municipal waste sent to landfill to below 10% by 2035 and eliminate biodegradable waste to landfill by 2030. The Environment Bill includes measures to establish deposit return schemes, extended producer responsibility, and consistent material collections from households and businesses. Over £16 million has been awarded or is being processed for food waste collection and redistribution projects. Carbon impacts of incineration are lower than those of landfilling non-recyclable waste according to available evidence. The minister also mentioned the Prime Minister's 10-point plan, including an ambition to capture 10 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2030 through carbon capture technology.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.