25 September 2008 Risk Communication New and Emerging Waste Treatment Technologies – A Risk Communication Challenge Mike Studden Regional Head of Environmental Hazards Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division

Risk Communication Workshop Aims: Understand drivers for change in disposal of waste in UK Provide brief overview of alternative treatments and technologies Review potential health effects of emerging methodologies Explore common public concerns and misconceptions Consider public risk communication challenges and responses

Risk Communication EC Landfill Directive* Overall aim is "to prevent or reduce as far as possible negative effects on the environment, in particular the pollution of surface water, groundwater, soil and air, and on the global environment, including the greenhouse effect, as well as any resulting risk to human health, from the landfilling of waste, during the whole life-cycle of the landfill". *Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste Official Journal L 182, 16/07/1999 P

Risk Communication EC Landfill Directive “A step change in the way we dispose of waste in this country helping to drive waste up the hierarchy through waste minimisation and increased levels of recycling and recovery.” DEFRA 2002

Risk Communication EC Landfill Directive Certain wastes banned from landfill All landfill sites must be classified as for inert waste, hazardous waste or nonhazardous waste – this latter category covers most biodegradable waste. Requires the pre-treatment of wastes going to landfill (and this treatment can include sorting) The UK practice of co-disposal in landfills of hazardous and non-hazardous waste must end by July 2004.

Risk Communication Background UK historical reliance on landfill waste disposal (93% in 1997) About 100 million tonnes of waste generated annually from households, commerce and industry. Most of this ends up in landfill.

Risk Communication Specific EC Landfill Directive requirements

Risk Communication Definition of Municipal Waste “Municipal waste includes household waste and any other wastes collected by waste collection authorities (or their agents) such as municipal parks and gardens waste, beach cleansing waste, commercial or industrial waste and waste resulting from the clearance of fly-tipped materials”. Waste Strategy for England

Risk Communication

Energy from waste is expected to account for 25% of municipal waste by 2020 Waste Strategy for England

Risk Communication

New and Emerging Waste Treatment Technologies Mechanical Treatment Mechanical Separation / Pulverisation Refuse Derived Fuel Recycling Unsorted / residual waste Materials Recovery Facility (Dirty MRF) Materials Recovery Facility (Clean MRF) Biological Treatments Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) Anaerobic Digestion Composting - Windrow and In-vessel

Risk Communication New and emerging waste technologies Thermal Treatments (with or without energy recovery) Moving Grate Incineration Fluidised Bed Incineration Co-Incineration Combined Heat and Power Thermal Treatments with materials recovery Pyrolosis & Gasification Steam Reformation Processes / Autoclaving

Risk Communication SOURCE PATHWAY RECEPTOR

Risk Communication Pathways: Inhalation Ingestion Absorption

Risk Communication Emission Properties Quantification Characterisation Reactivity Distribution Dilution Dispersion Explosive

Risk Communication Advanced Biological Treatment

Risk Communication Advanced Biological Treatment

Risk Communication Advanced Thermal Treatment

Risk Communication Advanced Thermal Treatment

Risk Communication Mechanical Biological Treatment of Municipal Solid Waste

Risk Communication

Fluidised Bed Waste to Energy Facility

Risk Communication

USEFUL BACKGROUND READING Review of the environmental and health effects of waste management. DEFRA, May Introductory Guide to Options for the Diversion of Biodegradable Municipal Waste from Landfill guide-2007.pdf Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Position Statement HPA November