WALTHAM FOREST: Incinerator plans scrapped

2:00pm Tuesday 14th October 2008

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A PLAN which could have seen an incinerator built in Waltham Forest has been scrapped in favour of promoting greener options.

The North London Waste Plan (NLWP) earmarked three sites in or close to the borough as possible locations for the new facility.

However, the North London Waste Authority (NLWA), chaired by council leader Clyde Loakes, has ruled out building a new incinerator and instead hopes to encourage greater efficiency.

He said: "As an authority we believe that prioritising waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and recovery over current disposal methods will enable us to manage our waste in the most affordable and environmentally friendly way we can.

"We hope that this approach will not only help us reduce north London's carbon footprint but will enable us to offer our residents the best possible solution for managing our waste into the future."

NLWA is planning to build four new recycling centres, two sorting factories, compost digesting facilities and a combined heat and power plant, which uses recovered fuel instead of fossil fuel.

Two biological treatment plants are also likely to be built in Enfield and Hendon.

The NLWA, which is made of representatives from seven boroughs, will also endevour to use rail and water networks to transport waste to cut harmful emissions.

Plans are in place to double the current composting rate and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill sites from 36 per cent to 15 per cent by 2020.

Councils face heavy fines if they fail to meet the target.

The plans will be formally approved on October 29 and the proposals will be sent to the Government for consideration.

An estimated one million tonnes of waste is produced in north London each year.

Currently 24 per cent is recycled while 40 per cent is incinerated and 36 per cent is sent to landfill sites in the Home Counties.

Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow, Lea Bridge Gateway in Leyton, and the Central Leaside Business Area on the Chingford/Enfield border were suggested by the NLWP as possible sites for a new facilities.

The seven boroughs which come under the jurisdiction of the NLWA and the NLWP are Waltham Forest, Hackney, Enfield, Haringey, Barnet, Camden, and Islington.