Energy from Waste

2 million tonnes of waste were sent to incinerators or Energy from Waste facilities last year - more than doubling in the last decade.

Incineration at an Energy from Waste facility is the main alternative to landfill, as electricity and heat can be generated from the waste.

The London Assembly Environment Committee report, ‘Waste: Energy from Waste’ examines how the benefits of Energy from Waste can be maximised and the impact on the environment reduced.

• Recyclable materials are unnecessarily going to incineration, including materials, such as plastic, that are potentially hazardous to health when burnt.
• London sends some of its waste abroad and to other parts of the UK.
• Energy from Waste plants do not sort recyclable waste as part of the process, as this is seen as the responsibility of residents, businesses and local authorities.
• Not all boroughs offer separate food waste collections, so food waste is being burnt, rather than going to environmentally friendly processes, such as anaerobic digestion.
• London needs to reduce the amount of waste being sent for incineration and burn less organic and plastic waste, as well as recyclable materials.