SEPA's Thermal Treatment Of Waste Guidelines 2009
Introduction
SEPA has issued new Guidelines on the Thermal Treatment of Waste
which update and replace those produced in 2004 and have the
objective of ensuring that recovery of energy from waste is
maximised as well as ensuring that new and existing thermal
treatment facilities don't impede the prevention or recycling
of waste. The Guidelines apply to all municipal and commercial and
industrial wastes (excepting hazardous wastes).
What the Guidelines say
In summary, the Guidelines state that thermal treatment
facilities should:
"Only treat residual waste (i.e. waste remaining after all
efforts have been made to extract recyclable materials), in order
not to impede recycling and waste prevention efforts;
Be part of an integrated network of recycling and composting
and other waste management facilities; and
Recover and use the energy derived from waste
efficiently."
The Guidelines provide developers and their advisors with a
Planning and Permitting framework as well as technical standards
(described below) that need to be met in order to operate lawfully.
The Guidelines state they are also relevant to the co-firing of
biomass and waste. In this context, "biomass"
includes:
Primary biomass – grown for energy production
purposes;
Secondary biomass – produced as a consequence of
faming and forestry, where these are not deemed to be wastes;
and
Tertiary biomass – waste biomass.
Planning Aspects
Recent reforms to Scotland's Planning system include a
requirement that the views of certain agencies be sought in the
preparation of strategic and local plans. The Guidelines will act
as an instrument for local authorities and other, relevant agencies
such as SEPA in assessing policy and strategic issues as well as
site-specific proposals. They narrate several key planning
principles to be applied to the assessment of strategic issues and
site specific planning applications for thermal treatment
facilities. The principles are listed at section 2 of the
Guidelines and, in summary, are:
The proximity principle – an assessment of how close
a facility or proposed facility is to the source of the waste that
it treats;
Capacity and need – A developer is required to submit
information on the need for a new facility in the area
proposed;
Site selection – A developer must show why one site
has been favoured over other sites. This information is likely to
be found in an Environmental Statement that might have been
produced in respect of a proposed development;
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