Push for waste incinerator near Reading to be shut down

Waste management and construction company J Mould has an ongoing project to build an incinerator facility at a site it owns off Berrys Lane just outside Reading.

The project has been opposed from the outset by the Reading and Berkshire Against the Incinerator campaign groups.

While there is a benefit of eliminating waste and generating waste, there are concerns about the pollution caused by fumes.

The push for the new incinerator to be blocked was made at a Reading Borough Council policy committee meeting.

Allison May, a member of the public said: "The burning of rubbish in incinerators, sometimes known to as 'energy from waste facilities', is the dirtiest way in the UK to generate power."

She then argued the incinerator will emit 'multiple unhealthy emissions' spread through Reading and the surrounding area.

READ MORE: Tonnes of recycling waste in Reading sent to Vietnam and other Asian countries thousands of miles away 

Ms May then called on the council to write to government ministers to immediately impose a permanent ban on new incineration facilities in England, following actions taken by the governments of Scotland and Wales.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that 1.9 million (1,944,420) kilogrammes of rejected recycling from Reading was incinerated.

Responding to Ms May, Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey) lead councillor for environmental services said: "This council acknowledges public concerns regarding the environmental impact of energy from waste (EfW) facilities, and the concerns around the site in West Berkshire in particular.

"It is important that we reiterate that this site has received permission already by West Berkshire Council that this council has no jurisdiction over, and under the policies in place at the time by the previous government.

READ MORE: Controversial incinerator near Reading set to go ahead despite concerns

"It is also important that people understand the reason why EfW facilities exist in the first place.

"Recent reports comparing EfW emissions with coal have only served to confuse and conflate the issue as they do serve two different purposes.

"Coal's function is solely for energy generation, the energy generated from EfW plants is a positive byproduct of the true function which is to treat waste that cannot be recycled and avoid and reduce landfill use in line with the waste hierarchy.

A CGI of what the incinerator will look like once built. (Image: J Mould / Enzygo)

"We can create less reliance on EfW plants by ensuring that they are ever only incinerating that waste that we literally cannot get rid of through any other means,

"As such, if we're all serious about a reduction of our reliance on EfW facilities, we each have a job to do. We as a community and responsible society must seek to maximise recycling which remains our priority."

She added that, while Reading has a recycling rate of 50 per cent, approximately 68 per cent of household waste ending up in grey rubbish bins could still be recycled.

READ MORE: 68 per cent of household rubbish could be recycled, waste company says 

Cllr Rowland continued: "Until other solutions are forthcoming to take care of unrecyclable waste, we responsibly and constantly evaluate all available options.

"We will closely monitor any planning applications for new facilities. In doing so we will advocate for the thorough consideration of environmental and community concerns."

Finally, she said the council will lobby for the review of EfW usage by the government.

She gave the answer at the meeting on Monday, November 18.

Speaking after the meeting, cllr Rob White (Green, Park) leader of the main opposition said: "Given the Labour council's commitment to tackling climate change it was disappointing to hear the lead councillor defend burning our waste to generate energy. This is as polluting as burning coal – which has now been phased out.

"The council also revealed recently that 68 per cent of what is in our grey bins could be recycled. So even worse the council is burning things which could be recycled. I urge Labour to reconsider their love affair with incineration."