Even if we recycle all we can and everyone does their best to prevent waste, there will always be rubbish leftover that needs to be treated.
Currently, the majority of rubbish produced in Herefordshire and Worcestershire that isn't recycled goes to the landfill site at Hill and Moor that is operated on our behalf by Severn Waste Services. As space there is limited and legislation requires us to find alternatives to landfill, a treatment facility is required.
The Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy for Herefordshire and Worcestershire (2004-2034), sets out the problems faced by the two counties in relation to treating rubbish, as well as focusing in on how these problems can be tackled using practical and affordable solutions.
As part of the strategy, an appraisal was carried out and consulted upon. It compared different technologies for dealing with rubbish which hasn't been recycled.
These options included:
Energy from Waste – (EfW)
Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT)
The conclusion of the appraisal was that an Energy from Waste solution is the best option for Herefordshire and Worcestershire. For more information on the proposed solution please see our Energy Recovery section.
Postponed Cabinet Report
The Waste report scheduled for the Cabinet meeting on Friday 4 October has had to be postponed. Following the securing of planning permission from the Secretary of State, this report was to cover, primarily, the financial aspects of the proposed Energy from Waste Plant at Hartlebury Trading Estate including an assessment of value for money, affordability and proposed funding options.
As part of detailed discussions between the two Councils involved (Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council) and Central Government, an additional funding option was recently suggested. In order to properly explore this option alongside all others there are a number of complex matters that need to be worked through.
The Councils are committed to finding the most cost effective waste disposal solution for the residents of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and so to ensure this further proposal is developed to the level of detail required for proper consideration, the report to Cabinet will be postponed allowing this further work to be completed ahead of any recommendation.
Between the Councils and Central Government a new timeline will be worked up, and communicated as soon as possible.
Energy from Waste facility: planning application
In May 2010 our contractor submitted a planning application to Worcestershire County Council proposing a new Energy from Waste facility, called EnviRecover, on a site in Hartlebury, near Kidderminster.
On 1 March 2011, Worcestershire County Council's (WCC) planning committee met to debate and decide on the EnviRecover planning application. The committee voted unanimously to be 'minded to approve' the planning application for EnviRecover. As part of the standard planning process the application is now subject to a call in period by Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
On Monday 18 April 2011, the Environment Agency issued an Environmental Permit for EnviRecover. The permit is required in order for our contractor to operate the facility.
On Tuesday 10 May 2011, Worcestershire County Council planners were informed by the Department of Communities and Local Government that the Secretary of State will be 'calling in' the application.
The public inquiry relating to the 'calling in' of the application will commence on 22 November 2011.
Further details about EnviRecover can be viewed on our contractor, Mercia Waste Management's EnviRecover website.
Freedom of Information Requests and Responses on proposed EnviRecover Energy from Waste site.
Worcestershire County Council has received Freedom of Information requests from members of the public about the proposals for the Energy from Waste site and the technology it could employ.
Download the Freedom of Information requests document
You are here: Residual Waste Treatment