The UK’s Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has remarked that the government policy of recycling as much material as possible is not helping the environment as much material is finding its way into landfill or being shipped to developing countries around the world.
What the experts are recommending instead is the establishment of a factory in every village or town capable of generating energy from waste by either composting or burning.
Although the government is attempting to reduce waste going to landfill each year, the IMechE is saying that recycling rates are not as high as many ministers are claiming. The reason for this is that figures are based on waste collected for recycling – rather than on the amount that is actually recycled.
Some of the material that is collected for recycling is being sent to landfill as it is not suitable for processing, or is shipped to China for use as cheap fuel. The institute added that much waste recycled in the UK requires a great deal of energy for transport to centres that are often at some distance, and for processing as well, counteracting the potential environmental benefits.
In its hard-hitting report, the IMechE is calling for the development of a new strategy that focuses on ‘energy from waste.’ This change in approach would require a new generation of incinerators and anaerobic digesters, strategically placed around the country.
www.imeche.org
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