Why would this be? Surely if we already have an advanced system why downgrade?
No you have a high tech sorting process but it potentially leads to lower quality material that is harder to market and produces less income while incurring processing cost. Separating the food waste means that you can put it through AD to produce energy from biomass with the associated ROC benefits on top of the energy sales. And the current system doesn't comply with the WAG requirements (and potentially EU legislation depending on the not yet released definition of TEEP), but other than that it's all gravy. What you're getting isn't a downgrade it's just different.
drop me an email
I would if I could but I can't. Or can I just not see it?
thestabiliser - Member
Those above insinuating changes are due to the recycling operator, you're wrong, mode of collection is always set by the collection authority as part of the tender, they may ask you to price for an alternative but a change in waste collection policy requires assent from the elected members.
They tend to choose different methods in different areas as different housing densities etc are better served by different methods, they are also influenced by the arrangements made by the waste disposal authority (usuall the county council) who will have historicallyoperated the landfill sites but have usually let them to either profit making subsidiaries of themselves or private companies or a mixture, e.g. cumbria, CWM (former council) ru the landfills, Shanks run the recycling infrastructure
Not in particular, the majority I've done recently (particularly under CD process) for it to be left open with the specification stating the materials to be collected. Some will define but it's more often politically motivated as opposed to the practical way forward as you lose the potential to test best value in the marketplace.
Sorry tootall tazwadie@hotmail.com
I'm in the US; Pittsburgh suburbs.
When they started recycling, we had 4 small bins to put paper, glass, plastic, and metal in that was picked up every 2 weeks. PITA, IMO! Leaves and yard waste are only collected about 3 times in the fall, and once or twice in the spring. No food waste collection at all. Regular trash is in whatever trash can or bag you provide yourself and collected weekly.
Then they said that we could mix the recycleables, but there was no standard container as they were picked up by hand. Then last year, we had to buy big (up to 90 gallon!) lidded plastic recycle cans with wheels which are emptied by a truck with an automatic arm every 2 weeks. Beforehand, they did a test run in one area, and recycling rates doubled! 😯 The only thing that is a PITA is corrugated cardboard. One bike box can damn near fill the whole can! 😀
Bag humbug being back bottle deposits
Landfills are great energy producers
I'm being dense - how? Methane?
Landfill sites are being actively 'mined' now. At least trials are being undertaken. You have to remember the ratio of stuff that was landfilled in the UK 15 years ago - still plenty of potential fuel buried down there! Metals at £150 - £800 per ton as well...
What irritates me is the inconsistent approach to plastics. Types 1 and 2 get recycled by our council, but not the others (which includes high volume items like yoghurt pots). The non recycled plastics just go in the bin and presumably to landfill, I've tried asking them at the skip but was told they just ended up in landfill there.
Fundamentally isn't this a complete waste of potential energy, plus all the issues from burying plastic? If there was a local incinerator burning the stuff for power I'd take it there but the enlightened citizens of N Yorkshire would rather live next to a stinking landfill whilst protesting about planned incinerators.
Blands post is absolutely correct.
The other issue that affects recycling in this country full of greedy ****ers is that no one likes to see someone else making any money out of waste. If a new technology comes to market that can exploit a waste stream that currently costs an arm and leg to dispose of then that should be a good thing.
What happens is that the waste generators see a profit being made and therefore think their waste is suddenly "worth something". They stop supply or threaten to and demand huge sums for their newly described "feed stock". This kills the margins and the new technological approach will grind to a halt. Waste generator goes pay to paying landfill fees and grumbles about that too...
You go to places such as Denmark and waste wood for instance is burnt for energy either locally or regionally. The producer gets a fixed price agreed a year in advance, as does the haulage firm as does the user. Everyone makes money, nobody grumbles.
You go to places such as Denmark and waste wood for instance is burnt for energy either locally or regionally. The producer gets a fixed price agreed a year in advance, as does the haulage firm as does the user. Everyone makes money, nobody grumbles.
This happens in the UK too.
Denmark have been streets ahead on waste for decades. Small efficient local incineration that generates district heating is a big plus and they hve cleaner air than the UK.
and they hve cleaner air than the UK.
They also have a much lower population density
