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The answer to the burning question of what to do with waste could be to convert it into energy, according to a new report. A wasted opportunity, from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, claims recycling is overrated, and converting waste to fuel is the way forward. But council leaders say it could only be a long-term solution, because of the time needed to build waste conversion plants. An LGA spokesman said: ‘In broad terms, we would agree incineration is a practical, non-polluting alternative to landfill. ‘But what we need to bear in mind is it could take several years to build these plants. We are certainly not going to be able to do that in time for some of the EU 2013 waste targets. ‘So, at the moment, we don't feel we have any alternative other than recycling.' But authors of the report claim much recycling is not worth the effort. Lead author, Ian Arbon, says paper ‘is a nightmare to recycle in this country, whereas it burns very well'. He claims it will be crucial to tap into this alternative form of energy if Britain is to meet the target of 15% of all energy from renewable sources by 2020. Burning waste in combustion chambers can turn rubbish into electricity. Anaerobic digesters can breakdown food waste to produce fuel. A process called gasification can convert carbon into a fuel known as syngas. And pyrolysis can turn plastic waste into a liquid fuel, similar to diesel. The report wants to see district and community heating projects, with local waste used as a fuel. It comes as the Environment Agency has called on councils to ‘hold their nerve' and continue to invest in recycling, despite a fall in prices for recycled materials. The LGA's environment board chairman, Cllr Paul Bettison, said this advice was ‘unhelpful'.

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CLIMATE CHANGE

Engineers cite recycling 'doubts'

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