London’s waste management requires new technologies

A new report has revealed that gasification and anaerobic digestion will achieve maximum reductions in London’s climate change emissions whilst still allowing the capital to deliver on its recycling and renewable energy targets.

The report, ‘Greenhouse Gas Balances of Waste Management Scenarios’, was commissioned by the Greater London Authority, and was produced by Eunomia, a waste management consultancy firm. It states that gasification and anaerobic digestion technologies are far more environmentally friendly than landfill and incineration.

These technologies extract heat and energy from rubbish. The most advanced of these technologies can save as much as 410kg of carbon dioxide emissions per tonne of waste treated.

Incinerators, on the other hand, contribute 70kg of carbon dioxide per tonne of waste treated. 22% of the capital’s rubbish is currently processed by incinerator.

Commenting on the report, London Mayor Ken Livingstone said that the report shows London’s need to develop and implement greener methods of processing waste. Mr. Livingstone recently announced that an extra £18 million will be made available over the next three years for new waste and recycling facilities.