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West Fife waste heading for Germany

Matt Meade • Published 25 Nov 2011 08:30 Print Comments 12 Comments

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WEST FIFE waste could soon be sent to Germany.

It's just one idea Fife Council is proposing as it aims to boost recycling rates across the Kingdom.

Refuse would be exported to Germany and other European countries where there is a demand for it to supply 'energy from waste' plants.

Last week Fife Council announced it has gone from one of the worst- to one of the best-performing councils for recycling.

In 2001, just two per cent of waste was recycled. That figure now stands at 52 per cent.

By 2020 the council want to improve that figure to 70 per cent and ensure they meet all Scottish Government recycling requirements.

Now a 'road map' on how this can be achieved has been published in a draft strategy entitled 'Towards Zero Waste Fife'.

Ideas include the thermal treatment of waste and ensuring the fourth bin scheme is rolled out across the Kingdom.

And a £15.5 million anaerobic digestion plant - to turn food scraps and garden waste into energy - is due to open at Lochhead in 2013.

The strategy, a report by Ken Gourlay, head of asset and facilities management services, and Bob McLellan, head of transportation and environmental services, was approved at the environment, enterprise and transportation committee last week.

In it they state, "There is evidence of demand in Germany for refuse-derived fuel to supply existing 'Energy from Waste' plants and cement kilns that cannot be met internally.

"Opportunities and challenges associated with exporting refuse-derived fuel to Germany and elsewhere will be considered."

Commenting on the report, Chris Ewing, senior manager (sustainability), said, "What is suggested is that there is an almost international market for this type of fuel, certainly in Germany and Holland. How Fife will do it is still open to question."

On the subject of the thermal treatment of waste he explained, "It's burning waste that can't be recycled to create power and heat.

"How much waste will require to be treated is still subject to a significant amount of research.

"But there is an expectation that before 2020 some of the waste we collect will be burned to generate power and heat."

Already, around 54,000 houses in Fife have a fourth 'green' bin, used for plastics and cans. By March 2014, Fife Council expects that number to be 150,000.

Mr Ewing added, "That goes a long way in dealing with most of the collection issues set out in the Zero Waste regulations.

"I think we're on the right track. But I think we need to guard against complacency and make sure we are providing a service that meets the needs of the vast majority of people.

"We're working to a draft programme that would see West Fife have them, probably from 2013 onwards.

"It's another wee while before it comes to West Fife, as we are working our way from east to west."

Significant income has already come from the sale of recyclates. In 2010/11 this amounted to more than £1.5 million. For 2011/12 it is forecast to be £2.5m.

Councillor Ross Vettraino, vice chair of the environment, enterprise and transportation committee, said, "To be recycling and composting nearly 52 per cent of our waste is a tremendous achievement and my thanks go out again to everyone in Fife for helping us get there."

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