Another success for Richmond and Twickenham Greens, as Councillor Chas Warlow’s motion on waste incineration passed at the Full Council meeting on Tuesday.
Campaigners and experts have serious concerns that the national strategy of sending ever more waste for incineration is harming air quality and preventing us from reaching climate goals.
Richmond borough sends 48,000 tonnes of black bag waste every year to incineration facilities, one of which is only 500 metres from the nearest school.
Emissions from incineration facilities contain harmful gases and particulates for which there is no safe World Health Organisation limit.
Cllr Warlow’s speech at last night’s meeting highlighted that long-term contracts often tie councils into providing minimum amounts of waste to incineration operators. Chas said: “That approach makes a mockery of our commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle.”
Richmond Council’s waste is managed by the West London Waste Authority, which has precisely this kind of contract. Moreover, emissions from waste incineration are due to become part of the Emissions Trading Scheme in 2028, which will cost Richmond Council several million pounds a year at current prices.
The motion in full reads:
“Council:
- Continues to recognise the climate and health risks caused by emissions from incineration.
- Reaffirms the existing commitment further to reduce the tonnage of waste sent to incineration, given that burning waste produces the same amount of greenhouse gases for each unit of energy as coal power.
- Will continue to work with the West London Waste Authority to reduce waste.
- Will lobby national government to take urgent action to align manufacturing and waste disposal policies with the circular economy concept.
- Acknowledges the urgency arising from the 2028 extension of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to incineration, potentially costing councils millions.”
The motion passed with no votes against or abstentions. Chas said: “We need to lobby the Labour government … to kick this polluting method into touch as soon as possible and focus on creating a sustainable future.”
