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FOR MORE NEWS AND ANALYSIS VISIT www.edie.net /waste The UK is at risk of having far more incineration capacity than it needs by 2017/18, according to a new report by resource management consultancy Eunomia. Eunomia has published its findings in the seventh edition of its bi-annual Residual Waste Infrastructure Review. The report's findings indicate that if infrastructure construction and waste exports both proceed as expected, the UK's residual waste treatment capacity will exceed supply in 2017/18. The report claims that if export of residual waste is stopped altogether, and no further capacity is built other than that which is already in construction, overcapacity will be reached in 2023/24. In both cases it is assumed that the UK makes steady progress towards current and prospective statutory targets for recycling, according to the study. Elsewhere, the report finds that the UK has more incineration capacity either currently operational or being built than is needed if the country is to hit the 70% recycling target being discussed by the European Commission. According to Eunomia, these facilities are collectively capable of processing 17.7m tonnes per annum (tpa) of residual waste. This will mean that the UK's maximum recycling rate in 2030 will be limited to 66%, according to Eunomia. Report author Adam Baddeley said that it was important that when investing in major infrastructure "we think for the long term" and make sure that the UK does not have more capacity than it needs. Eunomia issues incineration overcapacity warning New waste prevention projects receive funding Defra has announced that ten innovative waste prevention pro- jects have been awarded more than £300,000 of funding from the latest round of the Government's 'Innovation in Waste Prevention Fund'. Managed by WRAP, the Innovation in Waste Prevention (IWP) Fund will help a range of new projects get off the ground and become reality. Successful schemes range from the Restart Project in London to develop a 'fixometer' app measuring the suc- cess of electrical repair workshops, to a 'scrapstore' in Devon and pop up shops in Surrey that offer repair skills for household objects and elec- trical products. Forming part of the Waste Prevention Programme (WPP), the IWP Fund was set up to help local communities adopt innovative waste prevention, reuse and repair activities. The successful projects will form the first of three phases of the IWP Fund, providing £800,000 over two years. Resource Minister Dan Rogerson said: "Preventing waste before it is even created not only protects the environment but also makes good business sense. That is why we are committed to helping people make the most of the materials that are available to them, creating a stronger economy and more sustainable society. "We had an incredible response to the first round of the IWP Fund and the successful projects will take a range of exciting repair and renew pro- jects to communities in England. I am incredibly excited to see what comes out of phase two of this project, as we call for even more innovative ideas." James O'Brien, interim Reuse Network Co-ordinator Leicestershire & Rutland Reuse Network, added: "We are extremely pleased to have been awarded the IWP funding, which will enable the Leicestershire & Rutland Reuse Network to put in place important foundational ele- ments of our initiative. With this sup- port, we can increase reuse across the area and provide a more sustainable future for our member organisations. WRAP director Marcus Gover said that this "kind of collaboration and innovation is what's needed if we're to deliver growth and move towards the circular economy". WRAP registers as a charity CREATIVITY - Container repair specialist UKCM has pledged its support to 'Caring for Creation' – a recycling and fundraising initiative. UKCM has donated a refurbished container which will help raise money for local causes. Caring for Creation founder Emma Woodall is pictured above. WRAP has announced that it has registered as a charity following a successful application to the Charity Commission. The Charity Commission has approved the organisation's applica- tion to obtain charitable status, which was put forward last year. The news comes earlier than expected, as WRAP predicted to hear about its application by the end of March 2015. WRAP chief executive Liz Goodwin described the event as a "landmark moment". She added: "While much of WRAP's work has always been chari- table in nature, registering as a charity cements this philosophy by giving us more scope to explore new ways of working and develop new ideas. "It also opens up opportunities to access new sources of funding through foundations and trusts." Defra's IWP Fund was set up to help local communities adopt in- novative wastei prevention, reuse and repair activities. NEWS 6 Local Authority Waste & Recycling January 2015

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