A new report examines how the UK can learn from international policies to create value from residual waste and strengthen its circular economy through Waste-to-Energy.
Key Takeaways
- A new report highlights how the UK can adopt international policies to improve Waste-to-Energy (WtE) and enhance its circular economy.
- WtE offers an alternative to landfill, reducing environmental impact by generating energy from non-recyclable waste.
- The report calls for better integration of WtE into district heating networks and the adoption of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
- UK strategies include waste separation, recycling targets, and potential financial incentives from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) starting in 2028.
- Lessons from countries like Japan, Norway, and the Netherlands can help the UK strengthen its circular economy and improve waste management policies.
A report by the NGO WRAP, commissioned by Enfinium, outlines the role of waste-to-energy (WtE) in the circular economy, specifically in the treatment of residual waste that cannot be recycled or reused.
The primary function of WtE plants is to generate energy and heat from non-recyclable waste streams. This process provides a partial substitute for fossil fuels and helps to preserve the value of materials at the end of their life cycle.
Alternative to Landfill
WtE is presented as a preferred method for treating residual waste due to its lower environmental impact compared to landfilling. The report indicates that the controlled use of landfill gas and energy recovery from WtE facilities can minimise the environmental effects of waste disposal.
In countries such as Japan and Norway, heat generated by WtE plants is integrated into district heating networks. This practice increases the operational efficiency of the plants and adds further value to the waste materials.
Carbon Capture and Storage Integration
The use of carbon capture and storage (CCS) is identified as a key technology for reducing the environmental footprint of WtE. The Oslo Klemetsrud plant in Norway is cited as an example where CCS is used to lower CO₂ emissions and generate carbon removal credits.
International examples illustrate different approaches. Japan uses WtE intensively, terming it “thermal recycling” to maximise energy recovery. Norway follows a similar strategy with a focus on CCS, while the Netherlands is also increasingly equipping its WtE plants with this technology.
Future Challenges and Opportunities
The report suggests that the circular economy can be strengthened by a greater integration of WtE into district heating networks and a wider implementation of CCS.
A significant financial incentive is expected from the inclusion of WtE plants in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) starting in 2028. This policy is anticipated to encourage investment in CCS and the expansion of district heating networks.
Transitioning from Linear to Circular Economic Models
The report emphasises the unsustainability of the linear ‘take-make-dispose’ economic model, which leads to resource depletion, environmental pollution, and economic inefficiency. It advocates for a circular economy based on a ‘design-make-reuse’ principle to keep resources in use for longer, minimise waste, and preserve material value.
The document acknowledges that even in the most effective circular systems, a volume of residual waste that cannot be recycled or reused is unavoidable due to technical, economic, or environmental constraints. It is therefore important to maximise the remaining value of this residual waste through energy recovery or other valorisation methods, following the established waste hierarchy which prioritises prevention, reuse, and recycling.
UK’s Strategy For A Circular Economy
All four nations of the United Kingdom are actively working to implement a circular economy through national strategies and policies. These measures include the separate collection of waste, specific recycling targets, bans on landfilling certain materials, taxes on landfill disposal, and the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Within UK policy, the introduction of ‘Pay-As-You-Throw’ (PAYT) schemes remains politically contentious. Restricted collections of residual waste are presented as a more practicable alternative to encourage waste reduction and recycling.
International Benchmarks and Recommendations
The report analyses the waste policies and performance of Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal, concluding that no single country has a perfect policy framework for residual waste. However, these international case studies offer valuable approaches from which the United Kingdom can learn. Countries such as Japan and Norway utilise Waste-to-Energy (WtE) extensively, while the Netherlands achieves a high circularity performance through strict landfill bans and comprehensive recycling measures.
Key recommendations for the United Kingdom include implementing further measures to reduce waste sent to landfill, promoting recycling, and increasing the use of Energy from Waste (EfW). The report also suggests that the development of district heating networks and the integration of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology in Waste-to-Energy plants could significantly strengthen the circular economy. The correct design and timely implementation of new policies, such as the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), are identified as crucial for success.
Long-Term Goals And Continuous Improvement
The transition to a circular economy is presented as a long-term objective that requires a combination of ‘upstream’ measures aimed at waste prevention and ‘downstream’ measures for the effective management of residual waste.
The report concludes that while the United Kingdom has already implemented or planned many of the necessary policies, there remains scope for improvement. This is particularly true for waste prevention and creating further value from residual materials, where international examples can provide valuable insights to further optimise the UK’s circular economy strategy.
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