LAWR

to recover all valuable resources from our waste with only the true residual going to existing plants, wherever these may be. There is evidence, in a number of recent reports, that the infrastructure gap is closing but will it ever close com- pletely and does it need to? In all business planning situations you consider supply and demand. Would you invest significant amounts of money in infrastructure that already existed within a reasonable distance, at a reasonable cost and with capacity to meet your needs? There is no doubt that demand exists for local infrastruc- ture from a producer responsibility per- spective and demand exists in terms of a need for alternative energy. But then, different from the typical attitude of our European neighbours, there is little support for an EfW in our own backyards and a general concern that we may end up "feeding the beast" by having an over supply of facilities in the UK. But aren't we far from that in reality? Money talks Investment in resource recovery infra- structure has been shown in other European countries to complement their investment in energy recovery so we could do both but there are many advan- tages of pushing the former. Primarily, it fits with the latest aspi- rations of the European Commission in achieving recycling rates of up to 70%. It also creates economic and busi- ness opportunities for reprocessing and remanufacturing industries within the UK and allows for a more circular flow of materials. And finally, it reduces the amount of waste that we can put on a boat for someone else to benefit from as an energy product. It has been reported that this exporting trend is risky, open to abuse and has no long term future. There is talk of other European countries competing for the available capacity, causing price rises and squeezing out the UK. But there is evi- dence that contracts are available beyond the magic 2020 landfill diversion target date, so capacity can be secured. 'Rogue trading' All legal activities attract an element of rogue trading and it is for those legal opera- tors to ensure that these activities remain a minority and are brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities. Other European countries have the same recycling targets as we do, so shouldn't their residual waste be shrinking too? All that said, there is risk attached and the main risk lies in the finances. Transactions are subject to foreign exchange fluctua- tions, possible changes to sea freight duties, possible introduction of export/import/ incineration taxes amongst others but these are risks that can be managed. In true consultant style, I have posed more questions than I've answered. I hope though that this article has provided food for thought and the basis for some discus- sion at the session with the same title taking place at the RWM show on 17 September. Come join me! Linda Ovens is an associate director at AMEC. She will be talking at the Energy from Waste theatre on 17 September at RWM 2014. 28 Local Authority Waste & Recycling September 2014 RWM WITH CIWM 2014 PREVIEW

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