Energy

Artist's impression of the Protos site
Peel Environmental calls for £7.5bn investment in ‘Plastic Parks’

Waste and infrastructure business Peel Environmental has called for the UK to invest over £7.5 billion in infrastructure to deal with plastic waste over the next 10 years.


A screenshot from Biffa's sustainability strategy
Biffa sustainability strategy plans to unlock £1.25bn in green investment

Biffa has published a new strategy, entitled ‘Resourceful, Responsible’, outlining the waste management company’s long-term sustainability plans.

An image of green glass bottles
Renewables
European container glass industry to reduce emissions with green furnace

European container glass federation FEVE has announced an industry-wide project to build the first large-scale hybrid electric furnace that will run on 80 per cent renewable energy.

An image of an anaerobic digestion plant
Biomethane could deliver 30 per cent of UK’s 2030 carbon budget, says ADBA
By
Imogen Benson
| 4 March 2020 |
A new report from the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) has revealed that biomethane has the potential to deliver 30 per cent of the UK’s 2030 carbon budget. 
Cheshire East Council's refuse collection vehicles
Cheshire East Council secures funding for hydrogen refuse vehicles
By
Imogen Benson
| 12 February 2020 |
Cheshire East Council has partnered with Storengy to secure funding towards a £1 million scheme for hydrogen-powered refuse vehicles.
European flags
European Parliament backs Green Deal
By
Imogen Benson
| 17 January 2020 |
The European Parliament has voted to support the Green Deal for Europe under the condition that amendments are made. 
The Javelin Park EfW facility in Gloucestershire
Javelin Park EfW plant becomes fully operational
By
Imogen Benson
| 16 January 2020 |
The Javelin Park energy-from-waste (EfW) facility is now fully operational, accepting up to 190,000 tonnes of residual waste and producing over 116,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity each year.
The planned Protos Energy Park in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, the first site to be announced by PowerHouse Energy
UK’s first waste-to-hydrogen plant secures next stage funding
By
Rob Cole
| 2 January 2020 |
The UK’s first waste-to-hydrogen plant using technology developed by Powerhouse Energy Group has secured funding for the next stage of its development at its site in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.
An EfW facility in County Antrim
EU calls for incineration to be minimised
By
Imogen Benson
| 20 December 2019 |
The EU has updated its Sustainable Finance Taxonomy to address the climate impacts of waste incineration.
An anaerobic digestion (AD) plant
ADBA calls on new government to support AD industry
By
Imogen Benson
| 16 December 2019 |
The Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) has called on the new Conservative government to support the anaerobic digestion (AD) and biogas industry.
No time to waste
No time to waste
By
Imogen Benson
| 11 December 2019 |
Local authorities across the UK are declaring Climate Emergencies, committing to reducing their carbon emissions to net zero. But how can their waste management contribute to that aim? Imogen Benson reports.
An image of an anaerobic digestion plant
World Biogas Association makes emissions reduction declaration at COP25
By
Imogen Benson
| 10 December 2019 |
The World Biogas Association (WBA) presented a declaration at the UN’s Conference of Parties in Madrid (COP25), outlining a declaration that the biogas sector will deliver a 12 per cent reduction in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, provided world governments adequately support the industry.
Viridor invests £2 million to transform landfill gas into transport fuel
By
Tansy Dando
| 5 November 2019 |
Viridor invests £2 million in an innovation project to create low-carbon transport fuels from landfill gas.
Edmonton EcoPark
New North London incinerator crucial to reaching Net Zero, says consultancy
By
Tansy Dando
| 11 October 2019 |
Analysis suggests that failure to replace Edmonton EcoPark incinerator with a new energy recovery facility could lead to the release of an additional 215,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
An anaerobic digestion (AD) plant
Biogas trade body calls for decisive action to fulfil industry’s decarbonisation potential
By
Imogen Benson
| 19 September 2019 |
The World Biogas Association (WBA), the trade body for the biogas industry, has issued a series of recommendations on how governments, financial institutions and other key decision-makers can support the industry in fulfilling its decarbonisation potential.
An image of a Safi Sana worker
Back to the earth
By
Joanna Bingham
| 13 September 2019 |
Organic waste and soil degradation are two prominent issues for Accra and the rest of Ghana. Joanna Bingham, CEO of circular economy charity Footprints Africa, explains how one company in the country’s capital is offering an innovative solution to the problem.
Electric-powered waste collection vehicle in Sheffield
Sheffield trials waste-powered electric bin lorries
By
Tansy Dando
| 4 September 2019 |
Sheffield is trialling innovative electric bin lorries powered by the city’s waste in a bid to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.
An artist's impression of the Sinfin incinerator
Derby could end waste contract amid Sinfin incinerator delays
By
Kate Dickinson
| 31 July 2019 |
Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council appear to be seeking an end to their waste treatment contract with Resource Recovery Solutions as the company has failed to deliver on its management of the controversial Sinfin incinerator.
An image of a working mine
Earth Overshoot Day – how can we move the date?
By
Kate Dickinson
| 29 July 2019 |
On 29 July we have already used up the amount of natural resources that the world can regenerate within a year, the earliest date yet.
Image of a man in high-vis leaning over a tray of plastic pellets
Viridor to open £65m plastic recycling plant in Avonmouth
By
Rob Cole
| 19 June 2019 |
Resource management company Viridor is set to open the UK’s largest multi-polymer plastic recycling plant in Avonmouth, which will be powered by energy generated from an energy-from-waste plant under construction on the same site.
Image of a tractor in front of an anaerobic digestion facility
Bioenergy: ‘No regrets’ solution to cutting carbon emissions
By
Kate Dickinson
| 5 June 2019 |
The UK is not on track to meet future carbon budgets – but a new report from the Renewable Energy Association claims that bioenergy holds the key to cutting carbon emissions.
Waitrose trucks using CNG Fuels' biomethane
UK network of biomethane fuel stations in development
By
Kate Dickinson
| 24 May 2019 |
CNG Fuels plans to open five new biomethane refuelling stations across the UK this year to provide renewable fuels for HGVs.
Image of renewable biomass pellets for use in a domestic boiler, which could be subject to higher tax rates
Proposed tax hike for home renewable energy installations
By
Kate Dickinson
| 7 May 2019 |
An HMRC proposal could see VAT increased by 15 per cent for household renewable energy installations such as solar panels and biomass boilers.