Questions: Waste Management
Although as a water and wastewater service provider, we cannot comment on the Council’s proposal to plan for non-inert waste to be managed at sites outside of Medway. We note that paragraph 12.8.1 describes the present quantity of non-inert waste and capacity as follows: While non-inert landfill capacity across the South East is declining, the quantity of waste that needs to be disposed of in this way is also declining and this is expected to continue in light of Government initiatives. However, as sewage sludge is one form of non-inert waste, we provide some additional information from the wastewater utility sector for your consideration. Although sewage sludge represents only a proportion of the non-inert waste this paragraph discusses, the risk of a decline in available landbank for biosolids is a concern to the sector*. Should an alternative disposal route be required for sewage sludge in the short-term, this could have an impact on the ‘declining trends‘ referred to in paragraph 12.8.1 of the draft Plan. *For further information please see the following: • https://www.waterindustryjournal.co.uk/sludge-management-biosolids-recycling - Biosolids (or treated sewage sludges) typically have two markets – land application and incineration. Application to land, in compliance with the regulatory and good practice requirements, is still considered the best practicable environmental option in most cases. Alongside Spain and France, the UK recycles the majority of biosolids to these markets, with an emphasis on agricultural land. • https://utilityweek.co.uk/fear-of-forever-chemicals-could-put-paid-to-biosolids/ - Today 87% of the UK’s treated sewerage sludge is recycled as an agricultural fertiliser and soil improver – the only current disposal outlet alongside land restoration. But wastewater company business plans for PR24 reveal the level of concern over the sustainability of this disposal route from as early as the next asset management period (AMP8). This is due to a raft of regulatory changes looming on the horizon, each with the ability to severely reduce the landbank available for disposal. • https://www.water.org.uk/waste-water/extracting-resources-sewage - We are currently looking at what other opportunities there are to use sewage sludge to ensure that the sector has a sustainable future sludge treatment strategy. Other markets that have the potential to use sewage sludge include construction (as the filler for bricks) and plastics.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes however it would better if the waste was not in Medway to start with.