WASTE RECYCLING GROUP
Calvert Energy from Waste Plant What are we proposing n Waste Recycling Group (WRG) is proposing to build an Energy from Waste plant at its landfill site at Calvert. This would burn around 300,000 tonnes a year of residual waste. This is the waste from households and businesses after materials have been extracted for recycling and composting. n The plant has been designed to accommodate anticipated Municipal and Commercial waste arising within the County, though the aim would be to make up any shortfall in throughput over the 25-year operating life with waste from neighbouring authorities. n The plant would generate 22MW of electricity - enough to power approximately 36,000 homes in the area.
n All waste handling activities would be carried out inside a purpose-built structure. This will control noise, odour and dust. n
A new access road to the site would be constructed from the A41 on the Akeman Street disused railway line, connected by a new roundabout, thus removing all waste HGV movements from Calvert, Edgcott and Grendon Underwood, other than local collections.
n A monocell will be constructed within the permitted landfill site for the safe disposal of Air Pollution Control residues (fly ash). n WRG will prepare a new restoration scheme for the site. This will mean that many areas of the site which have consent for mineral extraction followed by landfilling will not now be used.
WASTE RECYCLING GROUP
3D Concept Images
WASTE RECYCLING GROUP
Calvert Energy from Waste Plant Why Energy from Waste (EFW)? The waste management challenge facing the UK n The UK has to find alternatives to landfill. Councils that fail to meet new targets will face substantial financial penalties. n Buried waste emits greenhouse gases such as methane, which contributes to global warming and is 23 times more damaging than carbon dioxide. n Some landfill will still be needed, but better use will be made of the space available. EfW is recognised as a suitable technology for use in Buckinghamshire. n Buckinghamshire County Council assessed various waste treatment options and then invited companies to tender for its Residual Waste Procurement Contract specifying that they should use thermal treatment technologies. n The adopted Minerals and Waste Local Plan also identifies EfW as an appropriate technology. n EfW is a safe, reliable, and deliverable technology with a good track record throughout Europe.
Why at Calvert? n
The Council’s adopted Minerals and Waste Local Plan identifies existing waste sites as potential locations for waste processing facilities.
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The emerging Minerals and Waste Development Framework identified Calvert as a suitable location for a major waste processing facility. The other option was Wapseys Wood near Gerrards Cross.
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Out of all the options considered by the Council only Calvert was identified as being definitely suitable for EfW.
An EfW plant at Calvert will help Buckinghamshire meet its targets n
Waste Recycling Group proposes developing an Energy from Waste plant to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.
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This will treat Buckinghamshire’s household waste that has already been pre-treated through kerbside sorting and the separation out of recyclable materials (such as glass bottles and newspaper), and also a large proportion of commercial and industrial waste.
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The residual waste will be burned to generate electricity, which will be supplied to the National Grid. Opportunities are also being investigated for use of surplus heat from the plant.
WRG’s Approach n
This exhibition sets out WRG’s initial plans.
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We are committed to openness and want to understand your views.
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When you have had a chance to see what we are proposing and to ask questions, please let us have your comments on the feedback form provided. We will consider all the responses we receive.
WASTE RECYCLING GROUP
Calvert Energy from Waste Plant The Energy from Waste Plant n The Energy from Waste plant will burn up to 300,000 tonnes per year of waste at high temperatures. n Waste would be delivered direct by refuse collection vehicles from within Aylesbury Vale District or in bulked-up loads from further afield. n The waste is burned within a combustion chamber and the high temperature gases are fed through a water tube boiler, producing superheated steam to drive a turbine, which in turn produces electricity. n The gases are treated and cleaned before being emitted from the stack. All waste handling activities will be carried out inside a purpose-built structure n This will control noise, odour and dust. n The design has been developed specifically for this site to assimilate it into the surroundings as much as possible.
Extracting further value from residual waste makes sense n Burning waste in an EfW plant creates less carbon dioxide than from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil, as well as helping to secure energy supply and conserving natural resources. n If waste is incinerated it avoids the production of methane in landfills, which is a far more damaging greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Combined Heat and Power n Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is the simultaneous production of electricity and heat. Instead of wasting the heat produced when waste is burned, it is put to good use. n CHP achieves up to 80% thermal efficiency, compared to 40-50% for conventional power stations. n The Calvert Plant will produce 22 MW of electricity, most of which will be fed into the National Grid. Options are also being considered for the potential use of heat from the plant.
WASTE RECYCLING GROUP
Calvert Energy from Waste Plant Where the plant would be sited
WASTE RECYCLING GROUP
Calvert Energy from Waste Plant What happens in the EfW process? Air Pollution Control (APC) n Gas from the incineration process is treated with lime to remove fine particles of ash. Carbon is then added to remove dioxins and heavy metals and, lastly, the fine particles, together with the carbon and powder, are removed by high efficiency filters. n The air pollution control residues from the treatment process will be conveyed to a separate treatment plant in sealed containers where water will be added before the solid waste is deposited in a specially constructed cell within the permitted landfill site. n This waste is classified as hazardous because it is alkaline. It will be managed and disposed of under strict operating conditions in accordance with an environmental permit to be obtained from the Environment Agency. n The total amount that would be landfilled each year would be about 3-4 per cent of the total waste going into the EfW plant, i.e. about 10,000 tonnes.
Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) n When waste is burned bottom ash is produced. n This will be moved by a covered conveyor to a storage area next to the EfW plant. n The IBA will either be landfilled, recycled, processed on site to be used as an alternative aggregate or sent off-site for processing elsewhere dependent on market conditions. n When the IBA is processed, scrap metals can be recovered for recycling. n This ash amounts to about 25% by weight of the waste delivered to the plant.
WASTE RECYCLING GROUP
Calvert Energy from Waste Plant Site layout
WASTE RECYCLING GROUP
Calvert Energy from Waste Plant Potential Impacts Public heath n
Modern EfW facilities are strictly controlled and monitored to ensure that there is no risk to public health from emissions.
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Emissions generated through the combustion process go through a three-stage clean-up before being released to the atmosphere. They will be continually monitored and the results checked regularly by the Government watchdog, the Environment Agency, which will have to license the plant before it can be operated.
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The disposal of the hazardous wastes will also be strictly controlled and monitored by the Environment Agency.
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Because this waste is inorganic and will be treated before being landfilled, none of the traditional potential nuisance factors associated with normal landfill sites such as litter, smell, landfill gas and vermin are present.
Health Protection Agency n
The Health Protection Agency has reviewed the latest scientific evidence on the health effects of modern municipal waste incinerators.
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The Agency report issued last September concludes that while it is not possible to rule out adverse health effects completely, any potential damage from modern, well run and regulated incinerators is likely to be so small that it would be undetectable.
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Air pollution from incinerators makes up a fraction of one percent of the country's particulate emissions. Industry and traffic account for more than fifty per cent.
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European Union Directives aimed at minimising landfill are leading to an increased use of incineration, and research suggests that this will not cause any significant adverse health effects.
Traffic Permitted HGV movements per day (one way) into existing landfill site via Brackley Lane: n n n n
Current average waste loads to landfill Permitted In-Vessel composting Facility Estimated other related HGVs Maximum permitted movements
60 38 6 130
Estimated total HGV movements per day (one way) for new facility via new access road: n n n n
Estimated waste loads per day to EfW Estimated other related HGVs In-Vessel Composting Facility Total predicted HGVs
73 27 38 138
Operating Hours n
The EfW plant will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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HGV movements on the new access road would only take place between the hours of 7am and 6pm Mondays to Fridays and 7am to 4pm Saturdays, unless otherwise approved by the Local Planning Authority (the same as for the existing landfill site).
WASTE RECYCLING GROUP
Calvert Energy from Waste Plant Potential Impacts Visual impact n The building will be large. It will measure approximately 180 metres long by 70 metres wide. The highest part of the building will be 52 metres, with a chimney stack of around 95 metres high (final height to be determined by air quality modelling). n Zones of visual impact are being identified for both the building and the stack. n Photomontages will illustrate the visual impact from various key locations. n The architecture of the building and the local topography will help to mitigate the impact, aided by existing and proposed planting.
WASTE RECYCLING GROUP
Calvert Energy from Waste Plant Climate Change and European Experience n The move towards alternative treatment processes is being driven by the European Union Landfill Directive and Climate Change Policy. n Energy from Waste is a modern and safe way of treating and disposing of waste left over after recycling, which would otherwise go to landfill. n Energy from Waste plants in Europe can supply 12 million people with electricity and 11 million people with heat. n As experience both in the UK and abroad demonstrates, EfW complements recycling; it is not a substitute for it and is not intended to divert waste from recycling. In fact, both EfW and increased recycling will divert waste from unsustainable landfill. n Countries in Europe with the highest recycling rates also use Energy from Waste to dispose of residual waste.
Treatment of household waste in the EU27 in 2007.
n green = recycling n yellow = EfW n red = landfilling Source: Eurostat – provides EU statistical data.
WASTE RECYCLING GROUP
Calvert Energy from Waste Plant What happens next Planning application n WRG is intending to submit a planning application for development of the Energy from Waste plant to Buckinghamshire County Council in August 2010. n As part of the application an Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposals is under way and a full Environmental Statement will accompany the application. n This will describe the likely significant effects of the proposed development upon the environment. n Buckinghamshire County Council will not make a decision on its Preferred Bidder until November 2010. WRG will be undertaking this work in advance of the decision being made by the Council in order not to delay the development programme should WRG be selected. n It will probably be up to 6 months before Buckinghamshire County Council determines the planning application.
Public Involvement n A key part of the process is public consultation. We are giving local residents in the communities close to the site an opportunity to view and comment on the proposals. Your feedback is welcomed.
n Let us know what you think by filling in the form provided. Alternatively, you can email us at
[email protected]. All comments will be reviewed by the project team.
n Buckinghamshire County Council will also undertake consultation on the planning application.
Your chance to have your say Proposed Calvert Energy from Waste Plant cal Biological Treatment Plant for Sutton
n Copies of the exhibition boards will be available at www.wrg.co.uk/calvert with an online response form.
Please give us your views on the proposed Courtenay EfW scheme atLandfill Calvert Which public exhibition did you attend?
Comments............................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................
n Do you have any comments about the proposed scheme?
Your details Title ____
Initial ____ Surname ____________________________
Address
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n The planning application will also be added to the website once submitted.
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_____________________________________________ Phone
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Email
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Are you a:
_ Local resident _ Organisation representative _ Councillor _ Other (please state)
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You can submit your views in the box provided, or …
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! By post – No stamp required
" By email
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Calvert Feedback Green Issues Communications Ltd, Freepost NAT22750, Reading RG1 4BR
[email protected]
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Your enquiries and comments will be analysed by Waste Recycling Group and its project team and will not be passed to any third party. WRG or its representatives may wish to contact you in the future with updates on their proposals. If you do not wish to be contacted, please tick here ___ . Your details will be kept confidential and not used for any other purpose.
WASTE RECYCLING GROUP
Calvert Energy from Waste Plant About Waste Recycling Group n For general background information on the company and its operations, please visit our website at www.wrg.co.uk.
n Waste Recycling Group Limited, a leading UK waste management and energy recovery company, is part of FCC, the international environmental services, infrastructure and energy group (www.fcc.es).
n WRG is focused on delivering integrated waste management and energy recovery solutions to meet national, regional and local needs for local authorities and private commercial companies. The Company operates facilities for the reception, recycling and disposal of waste, including a network of waste transfer and recycling centres and a regional network of landfill sites, and also manages a wide range of recycling sites of behalf of local authorities for use by the general public.
n WRG operates two Energy from Waste facilities in the UK and FCC operates three elsewhere.
