Waste energy?

The Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has launched a report urging the Government to look upon waste as a resource for energy generation.

The report, entitled ‘A Wasted Opportunity’, outlines a five-point plan that proposes to use energy produced in the conversion of waste materials, to help the UK meet its renewable energy commitments and achieve an 80 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2050.

Ian Arbon, author of the report and chairman of the Energy, Environment and Sustainability Group at IMechE, believes that the only way for the UK to generate a third of its electricity via renewable sources by 2020 is through the creation of a national Energy-from-Waste (EfW) network.

The UK currently produces 307 million tonnes of waste annually, with over 60 per cent of municipal waste destined for landfill sites.

However, legislation passed in 2002 means that the government is committed to halving its landfill capacity by 2013.