One million tonnes of waste processed at local energy plant

Lincolnshire’s Energy from Waste plant (EfW) processed its one millionth tonne of the county’s waste on Thursday.

The facility based near Teal Park in Lincoln is owned by Lincolnshire County Council and operated by FCC Environment.

The eco-council at St Andrew’s C of E Primary School in Sleaford unveiled a ‘living sculpture’ at the site to mark the occasion, along with county councillors and FCC Environment.

The eco-council at St Andrew’s C of E Primary School in Sleaford unveiled a ‘living sculpture’ at the site. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The ‘living sculpture’. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Energy from Waste plant has repurposed the waste into 554,000 Mwh of green energy for 29,000 local homes.

It has also enabled the council to reduce the amount of rubbish to landfill by around 92% over 10 years. This saves the council £89 per tonne in landfill tax.

Lincolnshire’s Energy from Waste (EfW) plant processed one million tonnes of the county’s waste on Thursday. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The council has a 25-year contract to run the site, which is open 365 days continuously. Around 180,000 tonnes were processed between August 2018 and August 2019.

In 2018 over 96% of the county’s rubbish was recycled, reused or composted. Only 4% went to landfill.

Councillor Eddy Poll, executive member for Waste and Resources at Lincolnshire County Council. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Councillor Eddy Poll, executive member for Waste and Resources at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This facility was the biggest capital investment we have ever made, and it is enabling us to do the right thing with our waste – environmentally and economically.”

Juergen Schaper, facility manager at FCC Environment. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Juergen Schaper, facility manager at FCC Environment, added: “We are extremely proud to have reached this very significant milestone. One million tonnes of waste diverted from landfill and converted to energy is a real achievement for Lincolnshire.

“We are focused on continuing to exceed performance expectations in our successful partnership with the Council as we carry on creating valuable electricity, jobs and community support for the county.”

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Councillor Eddy Poll, executive member for Waste and Resources and Martin Hill, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The site creates up to 190,000 tonnes of residual waste each year, converting it into 13.1 MW of electricity. It also produces around 215,000 tonnes of incinerator bottom ash, which is commonly used in road construction.