Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world South Tyne and Wear Authorities Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy South Tyneside Council Scrutiny Committee 4 th July 2007 Paul Fletcher Phil Short

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Strategy – The Process Strategy - developed in line with Defra guidance Relevant legislation taken into account including Waste Strategy for England 2007 Local policies also taken into account Annex to Strategy details the policies/strategies and legislation reviewed as part of this process Strategy developed through series of stakeholder workshops Draft Strategy to be subject to wider public consultation Draft Strategy also subjected to a Strategic Environmental Assessment

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Strategy – Structure of the Strategy Document One main document with a series of annexes Headline Strategy - Baseline report - Policy Review - Options Appraisal - Strategic Environmental Assessment Addresses the questions: Where are we now? Where do we want to be? How do we get there?

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Headline Strategy This is a stand alone document that includes the ‘Where we want to be’ aspect of the strategy and says why this is important Headline strategy lists: Objectives Policies Targets

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Headline Strategy (2) The Strategy’s Objectives reflect: the desire to meet or exceed Government targets where practicable aim to prioritise management of waste according to the Waste Hierarchy local waste issues

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Headline Strategy (3) Targets Recycling and composting targets – 30% – 35% – 45% Recovery Targets – 53% – 67% – 75% Current Recycling Rate for South Tyneside - 24%. This is made up of 12% Dry Recyclate and 12% Composted

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Baseline Review ‘Where are we now?’ In 2005/06 approximately 367,500 tonnes of municipal waste was collected in South Tyne and Wear. About 92,800 tonnes came from South Tyneside 87% was household waste Remainder being non-household municipal waste, comprising: - trade waste collections - rubble, tyres and soil, collected through the Recycling Village - other non-household waste, which includes fly-tipping, tyres etc

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Baseline Review (2)

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Baseline Review (3)

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Baseline Review (4) – growth estimate

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Baseline Review (5) – Growth estimate Waste is forecast to grow at 1% per annum until 2010 Projected arisings (to nearest thousand tonnes): 2007 – 372, – 376, – 380, (and annually thereafter) – 384,000

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Required under the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (SI no 1633) Should follow current guidance - most relevant is A Practical Guide to the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive Should take account of the impact of the Strategy on issues such as: biodiversitypopulation human healthsoil / land landscapewater airclimatic factors cultural heritage material assets (inc architecture and archaeology)

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Strategic Environmental Assessment - Process Scoping Report Statutory Consultees – EA, Natural England, English Heritage Other Consultees – Partnership authorities, Neighbouring authorities, Regional Bodies, Highways Agency Environmental Report Details results of assessment process Includes recommendations – mitigation measures and monitoring requirements Accompanies Draft Strategy for public consultation

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Strategic Environmental Assessment – Scope Baseline – review of data to identify significant environmental, social and economic issues in the Partnership area Assessment of Strategy Options – against a series of environmental, social and economic criteria as for the Strategy Options Appraisal Assessment of Policies and Objectives Mitigation and Monitoring

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Strategic Environmental Assessment – Key Findings Impacts of Strategy generally spread throughout ST&W – waste arises everywhere Some effects expected in vicinity of waste management facilities Strategy does not address site location 2 potentially vulnerable sites of nature conservation identified Range of recommendations made to address potential impacts of Strategy  draft Strategy amended to take account of recommendations Some policies expanded Additional policies included Number of recommendations made for monitoring effects of the Strategy

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Any Questions ?

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Options appraisal Three stages: Waste Minimisation Recycling and composting Residual waste treatment

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Waste Minimisation Schemes assessed Home composting Shop SMART Unwanted mail Reusable nappies Trade waste diversion Reuse of products Reuse/hire of goods and services

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Waste Minimisation – Impact of different schemes Impacts of the different measures shown in Tonnes saved Costs/Savings in £s The measures have varying effects - extent to which they impact on the amount of waste generated shown on the following chart Chart shows the maximum reductions in amounts generated that might be expected if proposed targets for each programme are achieved

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Relative impacts (reduction in waste generated) of different Waste Minimisation measures (by 2021)

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Relative impacts of Waste Minimisation measures (2) SMART shopping came out top Re-use also comes out very high in the list assuming a 5% level of reusability of products in the waste stream Home composting performed well despite only a limited proportion of households being included Promoting reusable nappies has little impact, only eliminating approx. 0.3% of municipal waste

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Waste Minimisation - Conclusions Due to the relative size of the waste stream, home composting of green waste comes out high despite it not being offered to all households The majority of the waste minimisation options rely heavily on behavioural change of residents and successful promotional / educational schemes A combination of prevention and re-use programmes is recommended so the general message of the need to reduce waste is reinforced

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Waste Minimisation – Assessment of different Options The following options, which include a combination of the schemes have been assessed: Do nothing Introduce measures to influence householder behaviour Introduce schemes and education campaign to all

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Total tonnage diverted and total saving per tonne for all three options

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Conclusions Not surprisingly, of the three Options considered: Implementing all programmes results in the highest diversion of waste. However, it also requires the greatest investment of both capital and ongoing costs in education programmes.

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Any Questions ?

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Recycling and composting Options considered: Baseline - Accept the prevailing participation levels of natural participation Option 1 - Encourage increased participation by a range of promotional / educational activities Option 2 - Enforcement Option 3 - Collect a wider range of materials from bring sites (plastic) Option 4 - Introduction of non-household (commercial) recycling Option 5 - Collect wider range of materials at the kerbside (plastic) Option 6 - Collect wider range of materials at the kerbside (textiles) Option 7 - Collect wider range of materials at the kerbside (card) Option 8 - Collect wider range of materials at the kerbside (kitchen waste) Option 9 - Collect waste and recycling by segregated weekly collection

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Recycling and composting (2) Assumptions All options introducing a new material to existing scheme would do so at the current coverage and participation rates Enforcement will increase participation to 90% and education to 70%. (Current participation rate 50% in South Tyneside) Segregated Weekly Collections will increase recycling to 30% alone

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Recycling and composting (3) The 9 Options were appraised against environmental, social and financial criteria Results are meant to guide future waste management decisions No one option needs be decided upon at this point as a way forward

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Recycling and composting (4) Results / conclusions Option 2 (Enforcement) and Option 9 (Segregated Weekly Collection) perform the best in terms of diversion of waste from landfill and increasing recycling and composting levels

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Recycling and composting (5) Options were assessed in terms of approximate cost - results should only be regarded as indicative - for comparative purposes Options 2 (Enforcement), 8 (Kitchen waste) and 9 (SWC) were estimated to be the most expensive. They do however have the potential to bring in revenue and offset expenditure through the recycling of the most material The introduction of new dry materials collection at the kerbside was seen as the most cost effective The impact of Option 1 (Promotion / education) is hard to predict  high financial risk as outcome is not guaranteed

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Recycling and composting (6) Options 2 (Enforcement) and 9 (SWC) Similar for many criteria – perform the best Major difference is SWC does not include an increase in composting Whilst the best performers, also highest potential cost and least acceptable to the public

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Any Questions ?

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Residual Treatment 9 residual treatment Options were assessed: Anaerobic digestion of food and garden waste Anaerobic digestion of all waste Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT) producing Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) to combustion Mechanical and Biological Treatment with output stabilised for use in landfill Autoclaving Energy from waste (EfW) Advanced thermal treatment Aerobic treatment Energy from Waste with Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Anaerobic Digestion Anaerobic digestion is the decomposition of organic waste by bacteria in an oxygen-free atmosphere.  biogas and a digestate or residue. The process is only suitable for putrescible waste. Anaerobic digestion is in early stages of development for municipal and industrial waste in the UK.

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Anaerobic digestion (2) Other considerations: AD contributes to a reduction in greenhouse gases Feedstocks for AD are renewable materials Provides a source of energy with no net increase in atmospheric carbon - the energy recovered reduces the demand for fossil fuels Converts residues into potentially saleable materials: biogas; soil conditioner; and liquid fertiliser Anaerobic digestion plants have significant capital and operational costs - generally 10 – 20% more than aerobic composting systems Small risk of fire or explosion (no greater than for natural gas installation)

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Aerobic Digestion Similar process to anaerobic digestion but with air forced through the waste  no biogas generation Some materials recovery – glass, metals, plastics Compost output quality depends on exact process details may only be suitable for landfill restoration Pilot facility operational in NE England

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) Integration of several processes commonly found in other waste management technologies MBT plant can incorporate a number of different processes in a variety of combinations MBT plants commonly sort mixed waste into different fractions using mechanical means and extract materials for recycling and composting, and for recovery produce more ‘stable’ mass for deposit into landfill produce a refuse derived fuel (RDF) for energy recovery Considered to be a ‘pre-treatment’ option only as it requires markets / other waste processes for the outputs

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) (2)

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) (3) MBT is a modular process, whereby mechanical and biological processes are used to separate / prepare mixed waste into usable fractions and / or render it more stable for deposit into landfill Mechanical Waste preparation technologies Waste separation technologies Biological Windrows In-vessel composting Bio-drying Anaerobic Digestion

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) (4) Without exception, all waste management facilities involve more than one unit operation, which may be Physical, Biological or Thermal The most widespread integrated systems are Mechanical- Biological Treatment (MBT) plants Countries in Continental Europe have been using MBT as a waste management option for many years Currently there are only four MBT plants operating in the UK By-products include compost-like output, recyclables including ferrous metals, biogas (AD only) and RDF MBT diverts a significant amount of biodegrable waste away from landfill, thus reducing the burden on landfills and fulfilling obligations of the Landfill Directive Currently, the market for RDF in the UK is undeveloped

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Autoclaving Autoclaving has been used to sterilise clinical waste, laboratory waste and to render animal wastes for many years - particularly in the USA. Essentially a steam treatment process designed to sterilise material  total elimination of all biological life in the waste.

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Autoclaving (2) Other considerations: Improves recycling opportunities – metals and glass have potential to be significantly cleaner than those from MBT Heat deformation of plastics may enhance removal efficiency for recycling Burning autoclave RDF significantly lowers maintenance requirements at combustion facilities (assuming plastic output is recycled separately) Substantial reduction of ash and other products destined for landfills Perceived as new technology Underdeveloped markets for recovered fibre Products of combustion would result from subsequent use of RDF for energy recovery

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Energy from Waste and Combined Heat and Power Generally some pre-sorting of wastes occurs prior to combustion to remove oversize, hazardous, or explosive materials. The waste remains in the furnace long enough to complete combustion of the materials. A grate is used to agitate the waste and move it through the combustion chamber.

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Energy from Waste (2) Incinerator capacities range from: 25t/day - suitable for small communities, to 3,000t of waste per day – large city Although small incinerators can be technically viable, there are economies of scale – optimum capacity is at least 300t/day or 100,000t/annum. The major processes in an energy from waste facility include: refuse receiving and handling combustion and steam generation flue gas cleaning power generation and distribution of heat (optional) condensing of cooling water.

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Energy from waste (3) Other considerations: Can be located near point of collection Produces a biologically sterile ash product Achieves a large volume reduction (~70%) Produces no methane Will normally recover energy Has potentially recyclable bottom ash residues Produces a hazardous fly ash requiring specialised landfill Advanced emission control and monitoring

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Advanced Thermal Treatment - Pyrolysis Pyrolysis is the heating of material in a controlled atmosphere with very low levels of oxygen. Most waste Pyrolysis produces a liquid fuel Outputs from Pyrolysis are char, oil and syngas.

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Advanced Thermal Treatment - Pyrolysis (2) Other considerations: There are more possibilities for recovering value from waste during pyrolysis than Energy from Waste Technology suited for smaller waste volumes (due to economics). Increased capital and operational costs compared to Energy from Waste Increased technical experience required to maintain facility compared to Energy from Waste Need to use pre-sorted or processed waste as a feedstock Unproven at a commercial scale in the UK.

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Advanced Thermal Treatment - Gasification As a technical process, Gasification can be considered as being between pyrolysis and combustion it involves partial oxidation of the waste oxygen is added but an insufficient quantity to allow full combustion to occur. Main product is a syngas, which contains carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane. Other main product is a solid residue of non-combustible materials (ash) which contains a relatively low level of carbon.

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Advanced Thermal Treatment - Gasification (2) Other considerations: Syngas can be used for a variety of purposes Offers more flexibility in recovering value than Energy from Waste Has a wider range of operating conditions and techniques to pyrolysis Increased capital and operational costs compared to incineration Increased technical experience required to maintain facility compared to Energy from Waste Need to use pre-sorted or processed waste as a feedstock Unproven at commercial scale in the UK.

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Residual Treatment The Options were appraised against a set of criteria criteria chosen from the list in the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) scoping report focus on only those that were relevant to residual waste options

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Residual Treatment (2) Option 5 (Autoclave) performed very well against environmental criteria due to good performance in terms of recycling (as part of the process) also that the output is assumed to find a market as a Refuse Derived Fuel

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Residual Treatment (3) Costs and deliverability Autoclave scores well on costs, however it is not deemed to be an easily deliverable technology - Bankability - Performance - Output market AD of all waste, MBT/Landfill, MBT/RDF and Aerobic treatment are good performers in terms of costs EfW options are seen as more deliverable than some options

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Residual Treatment (4) Other impacts Human health – no significant effects although AD (all wastes), AD (putrescible) and Aerobic treatment were shown to have slightly positive effects, whereas the others were shown to have slightly negative impacts. Climate change – Autoclave and MBT/RDF score best against criteria linked to climate change. Levels of recovery – Autoclave, EfW, Advanced Thermal and Aerobic Treatment score best for recovery levels.

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Residual treatment (5) General Conclusions Anaerobic (putrescible) and Advanced Thermal did not perform well in many criteria Energy from Waste with Combined Heat and Power performs well, as does Autoclave

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Any Questions ?

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Next steps Consultation Action Plan development Review of consultation responses Revision of Strategy Adoption of final Strategy

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world Future Timescales Consultation period – 12 th July to 20 th August Preparation of Action Plans – July/August Analysis of responses - 7 th September Revision of Strategy - 24 th September Strategy adoption - October