Turning Down the Heat? What the UK’s Incinerator Crackdown Really Means

Waste incineration in the UK has increased five-fold in the 20 years between 2001 and 2021. It is a major part of the UK's waste disposal operations for residual waste that falls outside the scope of reuse and recycling.

Although incineration is seen as a better alternative to landfill, the UK Government recognizes the need for stringent requirements to be met for the construction of new facilities.

More incinerators would undermine new waste management schemes such as Simpler Recycling, the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) are initiatives designed to  boost recycling, cut waste and prevent waste through 'polluter pays' principles.

These schemes aim to support 2023 environmental regulations that target capping residual waste at 287kg per person by 2042 – an astonishing 50% reduction from 2019 levels.

Projections suggest that current incineration infrastructure capacity to process residual waste in 2035 exceeds forecasted demand for 2042. However, pressure to develop additional facilities remains due to their role in energy generation, despite the much lower gross efficiency thresholds of 23% compared to using coal or gas. As of December 2024, new facilities must support net-zero and circular economy agendas, gearing towards 'energy from waste' (EfW) operations, divert non-recyclable waste from landfill and replace less efficient facilities.

Incinerators already supply district heat networks across the EU, but adopting this in the UK would require a significant investment in infrastructure. Heat generation from incinerators is more carbon intensive than using fossil fuels. District heat networks may also undermine progress in energy efficient building design and create contractual 'lock in' demand for incinerator-produced heat. Studies indicate that 53% of waste currently classified as residual is 'readily recyclable'. Furthermore, concerns about air pollution and facilities located in low-income areas highlight how incineration contributes to social inequalities as well as environmental issues.

Arguments that some waste in landfill does not rot down and can be biostabilised to limit methane emissions question whether burning waste is less polluting than burying it. Concerns about mercury, cadmium and thallium emissions have been raised by UKWIN, who claim current emissions are likely incorrectly measured. Government reviews from 2014 also acknowledge the complexities of comparing landfill with incineration, but favour incineration nevertheless.

Despite ongoing debates, the UK government’s plan to restrict incinerators is encouraging, and the inclusion of waste incinerators in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) from 2028 may help accelerate decarbonisation technologies in the sector.

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For more information contact: info@scarabtrust.org.uk

Image: Smoke, Pollution, Environment - Image by Annabel_P from Pixabay (ST ref:1357)

Edited by Amanda Dandagama