Incinerator is an option (From Witney Gazette)

Incinerator is an option

8:26am Monday 6th August 2007 in Witney By Reg Little

FEARS are mounting that an incinerator will be built in Oxfordshire.

Companies involved in incineration make up half of a shortlist drawn up by Oxfordshire County Council of firms that the local authority believes could treat the county's waste for decades to come.

Eight companies are being invited by Oxfordshire County Council to submit plans setting out how waste should be treated and disposed of in the future.

Although County Hall insists it is remaining 'neutral' about the best technology, environmentalists have expressed concern that half of the companies on the council's list either build or have close connections to incinerator plants.

Firms on the list, such as the French firm Veolia, have been responsible for some of the UK's energy-from-waste plants, which burn waste to create electricity.

Energy-from-waste remains a controversial option, which critics say bring health risks, while adding to global warming.

Plans to build them elsewhere have met with protests from residents. Incineration and many of the other options being considered would all involve investment of about £100m.

Oxfordshire County Council invited tenders from companies across Europe, insisting it would keep an open mind about the best and most cost-effective technology.

The final shortlist includes companies that already operate landfill sites in Oxfordshire and that are also involved in energy-from-waste projects.

Friends of the Earth insisted that local landfill companies would enjoy a big advantage in the tendering process because they already occupy large sites in Oxfordshire, which could eventually house incinerators or other waste treatment sites.

A total of 14 companies expressed interest.

Next month, the eight companies on the shortlist will be invited to submit outline proposals for treating residual household waste for consideration by the council.

Among those listed are Waste Recycling Group, which runs the landfill site at Sutton Courtenay; Viridor, which runs the landfill site at Ardley; French company SITA, which operates the landfill site at Alkerton, near Banbury.

Andrew Wood, of Oxfordshire Friends of the Earth, said: "This does not make incineration in Oxfordshire inevitable, but there is good reason to be concerned.

"They call it energy-from-waste.

"But people should realise it is still burning rubbish."

A spokesman for Oxfordshire County Council said: "Last year, Oxfordshire produced the lowest amount of waste per person of any county in the country. The county is one of the top performers for recycling and composting at just over 38 per cent in 2006/07.

"However, this is well short of the levels of the best European countries who recycle around 50 per cent and use technology to dispose of the rest."

He said the eight companies listed could offer a range of technologies that can treat biodegradable wastes, so that they need not be landfilled, and which also produce a usable product such as electricity, compost, or gas.

He said: "This list of companies ensures that a range of technology solutions can be considered through the next stage of the process."