Scam green duff recycling targets

Friends of Earth rubbishes waste incineration plan

Jul 27 2009 by David Williamson, Western Mail

WALES is lagging behind the efforts of other countries in the race to embrace recycling and eliminate waste, Friends of the Earth Cymru claimed today.

It criticised the Assembly Government’s waste strategy for not going far enough to meet the challenges of climate change and diminishing resources.

The charity described the draft strategy as a “step in the right direction” but called for more ambitious recycling targets and a far greater emphasis on reducing waste.

A WAG spokesman, however, said they believed theirs is the most ambitious recycling plan of all the UK administrations.

Friends of the Earth Cymru also wants Environment Minister Jane Davidson to abandon incineration as an option for dealing with waste.

The group claimed that keeping incineration on the table “seriously risks undermining targets for recycling and waste reduction”.

Gordon James, director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said: “While the Assembly Government’s target of achieving 70% recycling by 2025 is a step in the right direction, we have to be more ambitious.

“Parts of Europe, such as Flanders and Germany, are already achieving this rate, so we believe we should be aiming for

70% recycling by 2015 and 80% by 2020.

“We also want to see a much greater emphasis on waste reduction. Wales could become a zero waste nation, in which residual waste has been eliminated by 2030 rather than the proposed target of 2050.

“This is far too long to wait given the current environmental problems we face. Bold and urgent action is necessary now.”

His call was echoed by Jake Griffiths, leader of the Wales Green Party, who urged the Assembly Government to go further and support not just recycling but reusable packaging.

He said a return to the widespread use of bottles would mean more people would drink locally produced milk.

Milk contained in plastic cartons, he argued, was more likely to have been transported over a long distance, and the plastic might be sent as far away as China to be recycled.

He did not believe that more use of incineration would help encourage recycling and called for bolder targets.

“We don’t think they’ve been ambitious enough,” he said. “Other countries are way ahead of us.”

Friends of the Earth’s Mr James also supports greater reuse of packaging.

He said: “The Assembly Government’s own consultants have stated that it is fundamental that recycling becomes an option for waste management only after reduction and reuse. Without significant waste reduction, even 70% recycling by 2025 would fail to meet the Assembly Government’s own target to reduce Wales’ ‘ecological footprint’ to a fair 1.88 global hectares per person.”

Mr James went on to highlight Friends of the Earth Cymru’s concerns about the inclusion of incineration. Proposals to build incinerators in Cardiff, Barry and Merthyr Tydfil have all ignited controversy.

He said: “Incineration should not be part of any waste strategy. It is not a green technology as it produces toxic ash, emits excessive amounts of carbon dioxide, and its use would weaken incentives to reduce waste and boost recycling.

“The case for incineration is based on the unrealistic assumption that all residual waste could be incinerated and that all the ash is reusable.”

“In practice, less than 50% of the ash could be used and a significant amount of this would be hazardous waste.

“There are no suitable landfill sites for these residues in Wales, so they would need to be exported elsewhere.”

Friends of the Earth argues that Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) systems should be used to process residual waste.

Mr James said: “While it is encouraging that the Assembly Government is addressing how we need to deal with our waste, there is still a lot of work to do if we are going to transform Wales into a truly zero waste society.”

A Welsh Assembly Government spokesman said: “We welcome all contributions to our consultation which comes to an end next week. We believe this is the most ambitious recycling plan among all the administrations of the UK.

“We want to see Wales become a zero waste nation by 2050 so that products and services are designed so that they reduce or reuse waste as far as possible.”

Cardiff Planning Officers give incinerator ahelping hand

Do we believe the officers that 'no urban incinerator will accept a visit' -?

THIS is an INCINERATOR even though it avoids this word where possible!!!
NOT a clean 'ENERGY from Waste' ??? Who are they kiddding and there is no customer for this dirty energy!

A HUGE amount of emphasis in the report on energy from Waste
8.6 Sustainability
The proposed facility would provide (at capacity) approximately 30 Mega
Watts of electricity, enough to serve 30,000 homes. This is considered to be in
accordance with the aims of Planning Policy Wales and TAN 21. This is an
important feature of the proposal and..

The Welsh Assembly Government states that energy from waste facilities are
only acceptable if ‘they form part of an integrated approach and that they only
recover energy from residual waste that remains after as much recyclable and
compostable material as practically possible has been removed; they include
heat and power wherever practicable.

The applicant states that the proposed facility is intended to treat residual waste and that materials (such as metals) are to be recovered for recycling..

The carbon footprint of the development
Chapter 5.3 of the submitted Environmental Statement analyses the carbon
footprint of the proposed facility compared with landfill...(WRATE). Compared with Landfill an overall carbon saving of
between -108,000 tonnes and -196,000 tonnes will be achieved in the year 2013. Provided a user for the heat produced can be located the carbon footprint of the proposed facility is estimated to be in the order of -30,000
tonnes CO2eqv in 2013

Hazards of disposing of toxic fly ash sdismissed in this ONE para so this is big issue no 2 to tackle!!
The toxic fly ash is the residue of combustion removed from the flue gases
prior to release into the atmosphere, in order to reduce the pollutants emitted.
The facility would produce approximately 10,500 tonnes per annum. The fly
ash would be removed from the facility using enclosed tankers and would be
transported to a hazardous waste landfill (currently there are none in Wales)..


Looks like this will clash with SEW Waste group meeting - do we have a protest outside..etc7.5 Cardiff Friends of the Earth and South-East Wales Friends of the Earth Waste

From the report..the objections in addition to those by cllrs.
Then 8. ANALYSIS starts
8.1 This is a major application for an energy from waste facility which will comprise
14,400 square metres of internal floorspace and will treat approximately
350,000 tonnes of residual waste per annum.

FROM THE PAPERS to be found here
http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/content.asp?id=2292&$state=calendarmeeting&$committeeID=1423&$meetingdate=06/05/2009&$eventrec=5616

Group object to the proposed development on the following grounds (The full
objection letter is available for public viewing as a background paper):
• The proposed incinerator will, during the long period of its contract,
contravene the requirements laid down in the Waste Hierarchy to;
minimise waste arisings by reduction / prevention, and secure every
possible recovery of materials by re-use, recycling or composting before
burning.
• The proposed incinerator is not demonstrated to be the Best Practicable
Environmental Option, particularly with respect to climate change impact.
• There is public concern that the proposed incinerator will constitute a
health risk because hazardous substances produced, for example ultra
fine particle (
8. ANALYSIS
8.1 This is a major application for an energy from waste facility which will comprise
14,400 square metres of internal floorspace and will treat approximately
350,000 tonnes of residual waste per annum. The facility has a predicted
lifespan of approximately 25 years but may operate beyond this timeframe.
The proposed development includes a waste reception area including tipping
hall and bunkers, offices, a visitors centre, two stacks a weighbridge and
parking for HGVs and cars. The site will employ approximately 50 employees
on a shift basis and will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Deliveries
to the facility will generally be between the hours of 0700 and 1700 hours.

8.2 The agent has advised that there are approximately 22 energy from waste
facilities which are operating within the United Kingdom, treating residual
municipal, commercial and industrial waste and that there are also
approximately 10 further energy from waste facilities which are in the pipeline.
The applicant Viridor currently operates a clinical energy from waste facility in
Plymouth and is currently developing additional facilities in Exeter, (permission
was granted in May 2008 for a 60,000 tonne per annum facility) and Slough
(planning permission was granted in 2000 for a 400,000 tonne per annum
facility). Viridor has also submitted planning applications for similar facilities in
Oxford and East Lothian, which are being considered currently by the relevant
local planning authorities. It should be noted that the energy from waste
facilities which have been approved by other local planning authorities have
also given rise to a great deal of opposition.

8.3 There is an identified need for another method of disposing of residual waste
for not only Cardiff but for all of the Project Gwerdd Local Authorities of South
East Wales: Caerphilly, Cardiff, Monmouthshire, Newport and the Vale of
Glamorgan. The Lamby Way landfill site had a remaining capacity of only
approximately 200,000 tonnes in September 2008, with historic rates of
300,000 tonnes of waste per annum. The only other operating landfill site
within the Project Gwerdd authorities is at Dock Way Newport which has a
remaining capacity of approximately 300,000 tonnes with a disposal rate of
approximately 90,000 tonnes per annum (ie. approximately 4 years
remaining).

8.4 It is considered that the key planning considerations are as follows:
• European and National Policy
• Sustainability
• Land use policy
• Landscape and Visual Amenity
• Amenity including Air quality and health
• Water resources
• Transportation
• Archaeology and Cultural heritage
• Impact upon the Statutory Designated sites (ie. the Severn Estuary
Special Protection Area (SPA), Site of Conservation Importance (SCI) and
Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) and Cardiff Beech
Woods Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
8.5 European and National Policy
In accordance with the requirements of European Directives, it is necessary to
divert the amount of municipal solid waste disposed of by landfill. Technical
Advice Note (TAN) 21 states that another potential for the waste resource is
as a fuel. ‘Recovery of energy can be done in a number of ways including
direct incineration of parts of the waste arisings that are otherwise of limited
use. Proposals that incorporate combined power and heat plant could
contribute towards district heating schemes. Energy recovery via incineration
is known not to be popular with some sectors of the public, even thought the
industry is now using cleaner and safer technologies than ever, with vastly
reduced and controllable emissions. In a policy area that is aiming to rely less
and less on landfill, the potential for energy from waste facilities is growing’.
The provision of an energy from waste facility accords with the local authority’s
overall commitment to reducing the amount of waste generated within Cardiff,
the reuse of waste materials wherever possible, and the recovery of value
from the residual waste fraction. It is considered that such a facility is required
as part of an integrated and sustainable waste management strategy. The
proposed development is considered to be in accordance with the Deposit
Cardiff Unitary Development Plan (October 2003), which states ‘Proposals for
the development of waste management facilities will be permitted if: g) they
include suitable proposals for energy recovery and the beneficial after-use
products’.
8.6 Sustainability
The proposed facility would provide (at capacity) approximately 30 Mega
Watts of electricity, enough to serve 30,000 homes. This is considered to be in
accordance with the aims of Planning Policy Wales and TAN 21. This is an
important feature of the proposal and, in the interests of sustainability, it is
considered that if planning permission were to be granted, persons having
relevant interest in the application site should enter into a binding planning
obligation in agreement with the Council under Section 106 of the Town and
Country Planning Act 1990 requiring them to use best endeavours to use and
market the energy generated from the incineration process and to produce an
annual report detailing the outcome of these endeavours for presentation to
the local planning authority and also to use reasonable endeavours to market
the bottom ash derived from the incineration process for use as a secondary
aggregate, as indicated in paragraph 1.2 (iv) above.
8.7 Land Use Policy
In terms of land use policy the principle of the development of the site for such
a use is considered acceptable. The site falls within an area of land with
planning permission for business, industry and warehousing. The proposal is
considered in accordance with the aims of Policy 55 of the Local Plan and the
supplementary guidance on ‘Locating Waste Management Facilities’(2006)
which both state that such proposals will generally be encouraged toward
existing areas or allocations for general industry. (see the Strategic Planning
Manager’s advice, paragraph 5.1)
8.8 Landscape and Visual Amenity
The design and external appearance of the development is considered
acceptable. The site is located within an industrial area which is typified by
utilitarian looking industrial buildings. The Strategic Planning Manager
(Design) comments that the quality of the design is high for a facility of this
type (see paragraph 5.2 above). The design has also been endorsed by the
Design Commission for Wales.
8.9 Amenity including Air quality and health
The closest residential areas are a distance of approximately 580 metres away
at Adventurer’s Quay, Galleon Way and Lewis Road (see paragraph 1.2(ii).
The Environmental Statement (ES) contains an assessment of ‘Amenity
Issues’ (Section19) which covers the following matters: Litter, vermin and
pests, waste, discharge to water, air quality, dust and odour, traffic and noise
and concludes that the proposal would not have any detrimental impact on the
surrounding environment.
The submitted Environmental Statement (ES) addresses emissions in two
categories; traffic emissions and emissions from the stack. The ES states that
the majority of traffic will access the site via Rover Way and Ocean Way. A
DMRB assessment was carried out in relation to the Gypsy / Traveller site at
Rover Way. The assessment indicates that ‘long term and short term air
quality objectives / limit values for NO2 and PM10 will be achieved, with or
without the operational traffic for all assessment years’. The ES states that the
maximum predicted short term and long term ground level process
contributions from the facility at the appropriate WID emissions limits have
been classified as extremely small or very small (ie. <5%>2000) between the highest predicted soil concentrations and soil
assessment criteria that are protective of the most sensitive human receptors’.
Furthermore, following consideration of the proposal including the submitted
Environmental Statement neither the Environment Agency (EA) nor the
Operational Manager Environment (Pollution Control) have raised any
objections, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions (see paragraphs
5.3 and 6.1 above). It is not considered that the proposed development would
prejudice the amenities of residents etc. within the surrounding areas.
It should also be noted that the proposed facility will require an Environmental
Permit from the EA prior to beneficial operation. The potential emissions from
the incinerator will have to be analysed very stringently by the EA to ensure
that the emissions comply with EU legislation. The EA is the competent
authority for assessing the detailed impacts upon the environment from
emissions.
In view of the public concern regarding the proposal (see section 7 above), it is
recommended that the persons having relevant interest in the application site
should enter into a binding planning obligation in agreement with the Council
under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requiring them
to establish and support a Liaison Group to involve, (inter alia), the operator,
the local planning authority, local members and representatives of the local
community.
Furthermore, it is considered that the Environment Agency should be
requested to give consideration to the inclusion of a condition to secure a
programme for monitoring and mitigation of emissions to air using a
continuous sampling system on any pollution prevention and Control
Authorisation, and if not, to continually monitor the need for the inclusion of
such a condition in any subsequent review of this authorisation.
8.10 Water Resources
There are no water features present on the site and the site is not within an
area which is prone to flooding. The submitted Environmental Statement
states that the main potential for impact upon hydrogeology is during the
construction phase. Conditions 4-7 regarding contaminated land measures will
ensure that risks to ground water during both construction and operation are
monitored and minimised (see the consultation response received from the
Environment Agency paragraph 6.1 above).
8.11 Transportation
The applicant has carried out a Transport Assessment which was submitted
as part of the Environmental Statement. The Transport Assessment indicates
that the proposed development would generate approximately 82 additional 2-
way trips on the local highway network during the morning peak (ie. 0730 to
0900) and some 62 trips during the evening peak. The additional traffic
generated from the energy from waste facility is predicted to represent an
increase of 3%. Many of the objections received relate to the increase in traffic
from the proposed facility. However, on the proviso that the applicant is willing
to enter into a section 106 Agreement with regard to the provision of a
financial contribution of £180,293 towards public transport movements, traffic
management and telematics, the Operational Manager Transportation has no
objections. The applicant would also be required to enter into a section 106
Agreement with regard to the provision of a revised Travel Plan, in order to
promote travel by sustainable modes of transportation amongst employees
(see paragraph 5.4 above).
8.12 Archaeology and cultural heritage
Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT) advise that due to the ground
conditions it would be inappropriate to require a scheme of archaeological
work to be undertaken prior to commencement of development on the site, as
this could result in damage to archaeological resource which may otherwise
remain undisturbed on the site. GGAT have advised (see paragraph 6.3
above) that subject to a condition requiring the applicant to submit a detailed
programme of investigation for the archaeological resource following the
outline given in the environmental statement being attached to any consent
then there would be no objections (see Condition 22).
8.13 Impact upon the Statutory Designated sites
In response to the objections received from CCW (see paragraph 6.2 above),
regarding the need for an Appropriate Assessment to be undertaken by the
Local Authority prior to the determination of the application, the Strategic
Planning Manager (Ecology) (see paragraph 5.5) advises that Cardiff Council
has to reach a view on the possible significant effect of these proposals in the
context of European sites. The possible significant effects would be through
the media of aerial and water pollution, which are regulated by the
Environment Agency. The facility would require an Environmental Permit to
operate even if planning permission was granted. Furthermore, if an
Appropriate Assessment were to be undertaken for this proposal then this
would be inconsistent with the local authority’s stance on previous proposals
(such as Celsa Steelworks and Biomass Plant 08/2653C), and would set a
precedent for future projects. It should be noted that the local planning
authority does not have the technical competencies in assessing complex
issues relating to emissions.
8.14 Many objections have been received to the proposed energy from waste
facility (see section 7 above). In response to objections received and not
already addressed within the above report:
Concerns regarding emissions and the resultant impact upon health
The Operational Manager Environment (Pollution Control) and the
Environment Agency (EA) have been consulted with regard to the emissions
from the proposed facility and both have no objections (see paragraphs 5.3,
6.1 and 8.9 above). It will fall to the EA to consider the emissions very
stringently during the Environmental Permit stage. It should be noted that
without an Environmental Permit the facility will not be permitted to operate.
Incineration is not an efficient method of waste treatment and will discourage
recycling
The Welsh Assembly Government states that energy from waste facilities are
only acceptable if ‘they form part of an integrated approach and that they only
recover energy from residual waste that remains after as much recyclable and
compostable material as practically possible has been removed; they include
heat and power wherever practicable. The applicant states that the proposed
facility is intended to treat residual waste and that materials (such as metals)
are to be recovered for recycling. It should be noted that significant investment
has been made in recycling and composting within the local authority in recent
years and the local authority is committed to increasing rates of recycling and
reducing residual waste.

Hazards of disposing of toxic fly ash
The toxic fly ash is the residue of combustion removed from the flue gases
prior to release into the atmosphere, in order to reduce the pollutants emitted.
The facility would produce approximately 10,500 tonnes per annum. The fly
ash would be removed from the facility using enclosed tankers and would be
transported to a hazardous waste landfill (currently there are none in Wales).

The carbon footprint of the development
Chapter 5.3 of the submitted Environmental Statement analyses the carbon
footprint of the proposed facility compared with landfill. The calculations are
carried out in accordance with Waste and Resources Assessment Tool for the
Environment (WRATE). Compared with Landfill an overall carbon saving of
between -108,000 tonnes and -196,000 tonnes will be achieved in the year
2013. Provided a user for the heat produced can be located the carbon
footprint of the proposed facility is estimated to be in the order of -30,000
tonnes CO2eqv in 2013.

Height of chimney stack
There is currently a chimney stack on the site which measures approximately
80 metres in height. The proposed measures a maximum of 90 metres with an
additional 10 metre lightning rod. The facility is located within an area of
industry and is a typical feature which one would expect to see in such an
area. It should also be noted that the Strategic Planning Manager (design)
has no objections (see paragraph 5.2 above).
8.15 Subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement (see paragraphs 5.4,
8.6, 8.9 and 8.11 above), it is recommended that planning permission be
granted, subject to appropriate conditions.

Take action 15 April

Protest against the incinerator. Join us on
April 15 lunch time 1.30 City Hall lawn outside city hall.
more on this here - join us as the council's planning committee rules on proposals for a large waste incinerator in the city.

There has been fierce opposition to the planning application from Viridor waste management for a 350,000 tonne per year waste incinerator to be situated in Trident Park, near Splott. Cardiff Friends of the Earth has handed in objections from over 300 people and many others have also expressed their opposition.

The group has objected to the proposal on the grounds that the incinerator would burn waste which should be recycled or composted. They argue that incineration is not an efficient way of generating energy and that pollution from the site could be harmful to the health of local residents and could pollute important wildlife sites.

The objection says that household waste should be dealt with as near to where it was produced as possible, whereas an incinerator would take waste from across south east Wales, possibly much further.

Phil Ward, Waste Campaigner for Cardiff Friends of the Earth will be speaking on behalf of the group at the council meeting. He commented:

“The people of Cardiff do not want a massive incinerator at the heart of the city burning waste from across south Wales. We should all be taking radical steps to reduce the amount of waste we produce. Then we need to be recycling and composting all we can.

“Incineration is not a 'green' technology and there is no sense in driving huge amounts of waste around the country increasing congestion and pollution. Other, less damaging and more sustainable, technologies are available that could be implemented in each local area "

Greens: Don't Incinerate Cardiff

Don't incinerate Cardiff

Cardiff Council is proposing to build a waste incinerator on the site of the Nippon Glass works in the Butetown area of Cardiff. Cardiff and Vale Green Party strongly opposes this development for the following reasons:

It will increase the level of pollution in & around the Butetown area owing to the large volume of lorries and heavy vehicles delivering waste to the incinerator.

It will lead to various toxins detrimental to health being released into the atmosphere which could be spread across all parts of Cardiff and beyond.

Any energy output created by the burning of waste will be negated by the huge amount of energy used to generate the very high temperatures needed to burn the waste.

And it also should be noted that other waste incinerators such as the one at Port Talbot are operating under capacity and at a financial loss despite being heavily subsidised.

Cardiff Council is proposing to build a waste incinerator on the site of the Nippon Glass works in the Butetown area of Cardiff.

Cardiff & Vale Green Party would instead:
Increase the amount and capacity for recycling within the City

Promote the use of less packaging across both the commercial and business Sectors

Use Anaerobic Digestion wherever possible to alleviate waste problems and generate renewable electricity. (Please click here: www.adnett.org for more information on Anaerobic Digestion).

And wherever possible promote a 'repair and renewal culture' whereby instead of simply throwing things away we repair and renew them and this in turn will mean less waste and more skilled & fulfilling employment.

Documents

* Environmental Scrutiny Committee Agenda 10/07/07 (8k)
* Outline Regional Transport Plan (9.89M)
* Municipal Residual Waste Treatment (271k)
* Household Food Waste Collections and Treatment (61k)
* Sustainable Development Action Programme (318k)

Using the sky as a landfill site is not the answer to our waste problem

Using the sky as a landfill site is not the answer to our waste problem, said Robin Harper, a Green Party member of the Scottish Parliament.

Who wants to build it?

Waste Guzzling Monster - incinerator - sometimes called a thermal treatment -

PMG Estates and Viridor Waste Management plan to build an incinerator in Cardiff Bay. Rather than just burning the waste that is left over after recycling, with a potential capacity of 500,000 tonnes the incinerator could burn around three times as much rubbish as Cardiff sent to landfill in 2003/4 Between April 2004 and March 2005, 167,022 tonnes of waste were sent to landfill in Cardiff. Waste policy
8 Jun 2007 - They boast and day this is an Opportunity for Cardiff to lead the way in waste and resource management. Welsh property developer PMG Estates Limited, jointly owned by Paul Guy and Mike Hall, has announced exciting plans to create a state-of-the-art waste management and resource recovery facility on its Trident Park site in Cardiff Bay that would place Cardiff at the forefront of waste management practice in the UK. PMG has selected Viridor Waste Management, to be its preferred bidder to take forward the proposals. Over the coming months PMG and Viridor will be drawing up detailed plans for the £150 million scheme
http://www.tridentparkcardiffbay.co.uk/siteplan.htm#
http://www.tridentparkcardiffbay.co.uk/Site_Folder.pdf
http://www.tridentparkcardiffbay.co.uk/

‘TRIDENT PARK, THE HUB OF CARDIFFhttp://www.tridentparkcardiffbay.co.uk/index.htm

Conrtact the directors http://www.pmg-plc.com/
Trident Park website bast that it is a prominent 50 acre site within Cardiff Bay, the vibrant and successful regeneration of Cardiff’s docklands. The park comprises ten existing warehouses and office buildings and three plots suitable for development. Less than ten years old and in excellent condition the site offers one million sq ft of capacity.PMG Estates, through a programme of refurbishment, selective demolition and new development, is creating at Trident Park a business environment that offers a wide range of accommodation to suit the Region’s future office, warehouse and industrial needs.’


MUNICIPAL RESIDUAL WASTE TREATMENT
REPORT OF CORPORATE DIRECTOR 5 July
EBM 5 July 07 Municipal Residual Waste Treatment Final
procurement of a residual waste treatment facility (Prosiect Gwyrdd),. which is in line with the...
www.cardiff.gov.uk/objview.asp?object_id=9017

'The recovery of energy from residual waste that is derived after the separation of recyclable or compostable materials have been removed, this material can then be used for energy recovery through thermal treatment and for further recovery of recyclables;'

Julian Rosser, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru commented,
"Incineration is not the best way of dealing with waste: it means burning paper and plastics that should be recycled. It's not a renewable way of generating energy because so much of the 'fuel' comes from plastics which are made from oil.
. A waste guzzling monster like this would tie us into burning lots of our rubbish for a generation. We need to be reducing the amount of waste we produce, and recycle and compost anything left."

The Green Party is totally opposed to incineration for a variety of reasons, including concerns about the effect on human health and the environment and the way that incinerators create a demand for waste. The Green Party believes in the 'zero waste' philosophy, which involves reducing the amount of waste produced, re-using, repairing and recycling materials and environmentally-friendly treatment of residual waste to recover usable materials and compost organic matter. The most effective way to reduce the amount of waste produced is through government taxes on packaging and tax incentives to encourage re-use schemes and businesses that repair and recycle. However, local councils can and must play their part in working towards zero waste, most notably by ensuring there are comprehensive recycling facilities.