Incineration vs landfill: Why the debate over carbon intensity is far from over

Figures just released by SEPA, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, showed household waste entering landfill at a record low of 756,722t in 2018, while incinerated waste shot up 72% to 1.23m tonnes. This is “likely the start of an increasing trend”, SEPA noted, as waste is diverted from landfill ahead of a 2025 landfill ban. The UK is mulling over a similar approach, which makes sense. Or does it?

by David Burrows
The debate over whether landfill could be less carbon intensive then Energy from Waste plants is far from over. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
The debate over whether landfill could be less carbon intensive then Energy from Waste plants is far from over. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Sign in to continue

Sign in

Trouble signing in?

Reset password: Click here

Email: report@ends.co.uk

Call: 020 8267 8120

Take a 30-day trial

  • Join ENDS Report now and pay nothing for your first 30-days.

Register

Subscribe

Prices on request

  • Full access to endsreport.com for 12 months
  • Clear and accessible guidance on relevant legislation
  • Integration with ENDS Compliance Manager helping you plan ahead and ensure compliance for your organisation
  • Individual or bespoke multi-user packages available

See all benefits

Need to activate your subscription?
 
Already a subscriber
If you haven't already, activate your subscription here>>
 
Company Domain Access
If your company or university has a corporate subscription simply register your email address here to gain access