Sheffield's incinerator could burn more rubbish from other areas

Rubbish could be brought to Sheffield's incinerator from other areas because the city has been so successful with its recycling there's not enough waste to burn.
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Veolia, which has run the energy recovery facility at Bernard Road since 2001, wants to bring in up to 20,000 tonnes of waste annually from outside of the area.

It says over the last four years, it's had a shortfall of waste which means rubbish goes to landfill rather than being incinerated and generating electricity and heat for Sheffield District Heating Network, which provides low carbon heat and hot water to over 140 buildings.

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In a planning application, Veolia says: "Since the original planning permission for the new plant in 2002, the proportion of domestic waste generated within the city has declined significantly.

Sheffield Energy Recovery FacilitySheffield Energy Recovery Facility
Sheffield Energy Recovery Facility

"This is largely a result of better recycling, consumer behaviour and waste reduction initiatives. This, of course, is welcomed but there have been knock on effects.

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"In order to maintain the operational efficiency of the plant, top-up waste is required to bridge the gap between the quantity of suitable waste available from within the city and the current catchment area and the plant capacity.

"Maintaining the efficiency of the plant is important because it maximises energy generation, both heat for the district network and electricity export."

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The incinerator can cope with 245,000 tonnes of waste a year. The report adds: "The shortfall has had to be increasingly made up with municipal waste from neighbouring authorities and from commercial and industrial waste.

"At the same time, the amount available from neighbouring authorities continues to decrease as their waste disposal contracts evolve and new disposal facilities are provided.

"It's predicted that there will continue to be insufficient suitable waste available in the future. Any shortfall results in a reduction in the efficiency of the plant, its energy outputs and ability to service the district energy network."

Waste could be used which would otherwise go to landfill or travel further to an alternative incinerator.

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The changes are expected to increase daily lorry movements by seven. The report adds: "The Environment Agency, which controls the emissions from the plant, has already permitted the facility to accept 245,000 tonnes. Air quality impacts from vehicle movements would be insignificant."

Planning officers are considering the application, which can be viewed here

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