Frequently asked questions

Why do we need energy-from-waste technology?: Around 600,000 tonnes of household waste is produced every year in Surrey, which is more than enough to fill Guildford Cathedral three times over. Surrey County Council and all eleven local district and boroughs have identified thermal treatment in its Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy as being the most sustainable method of managing the county's waste that cannot sensibly be reused or recycled (residual waste).; EfW is a tried and tested technology that enables us to release the energy locked up in residual waste. This energy can then be used to generate electricity to help provide power for homes, much of which would otherwise have been generated by burning fossil fuels in conventional power stations.
Why can't we recycle everything?: The 12 councils in Surrey have collectively set an ambitious target of 60% recycling by 2025. This requires us all to double the amount of recycling we do now and exceed the best performing European countries. High recycling and composting rates play an important role in achieving long-term targets to divert waste from landfill (the least environmentally sustainable way of disposing of waste), but they will never be able to provide the whole solution. That is because, in order to come close to achieving these rates, it would require 100 per cent participation in recycling collection schemes from 100 per cent of the population, 100 per cent of the time, which is unrealistic. Also, despite our best efforts, there currently remain many materials that cannot be recycled. Rather than sending this waste to landfill, it is important that we try, where possible, to extract value from the waste by recovering energy.
Will dioxins and odours be emitted from the facility?: Many combustion processes, such as using a BBQ or driving a car, emit dioxins - often in an uncontrolled way. EfW technology is a strictly controlled process with the highest standards and it is continuously monitored by independent organisations like the Environment Agency. Dioxins are largely destroyed by the high temperatures of the combustion process and the level of emissions from the facility will be controlled to below the authorised limits using highly efficient cleaning and filtration systems in the facility.
Are the emissions from EfW harmful?: Modern EfW facilities manage waste in a clean and efficient way. The government and the Health Protection Agency have both recently examined the evidence relating to emissions from EfW plants and have concluded that there is a negligible, if any, risk to health from EfW.; Gases produced during the normal process of recovering energy from waste are cleaned using a number of fully automated and continuously monitored systems. The "plume" which can sometimes be seen on a cold day from EfW facilities is caused by water vapour.
Isn't it true that EfW will discourage recycling as it requires a constant flow of waste to make it financially sustainable?: No. Firstly, many of the materials that are separately collected for recycling and composting (such as metals, glass and green waste) are less suitable for energy recovery. Leftover household waste contains enough combustible materials to allow the energy recovery process to work.; Secondly, evidence of EfW facilities working effectively alongside high recycling rates can be seen in countries such as Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. Thirdly, the EfW capacity proposed for Surrey is deliberately small scale in order to encourage recycling rates to grow to 60%.
How many EfW facilities are there in operation?: There are 21 EfW plants operating in the UK, including three in Hampshire, two in London and there is also one being built near Heathrow. Sita UK, which owns Surrey Waste Management, operates four Energy-from-Waste facilities in the UK: Edmonton in London, Isle of Man, Kirklees and Teesside with permission for a fifth near Perth. Energy-from-Waste has an even longer history in Europe - there are over 400 EfW plants, including 123 in France and 58 in Germany. All are highly monitored and regulated and operating efficiently and safely.
Will traffic and congestion on local roads increase with the construction of Trumps Farm?: An in-depth traffic assessment of the current road network and existing traffic flow around the Trumps Farm site has been undertaken by Surrey Waste Management as part of the planning application process. This is to ensure that the future traffic flow in and out of the site will not impact on the local community in terms of disruption and congestion. Approximately 56 HGV trips will take place on weekdays. Waste will be delivered or ash will be taken away between 7am - 6pm weekdays and on Saturdays between 7:30 am and 1:30 pm.
There is an energy-from-waste facility being built near Heathrow. Why can't the waste go to that facility?: Surrey residents generate about 600,000 tonnes of waste annually and we are all responsible for the sustainable disposal of that waste. It is right and sensible that the waste we generate in the county should be treated within the county. The facility at Heathrow will be accepting waste from a wide area and it is understood that there is no spare capacity.
Why is this development being proposed at Trumps Farm which is in the Green Belt?: There is a shortage of suitable sites for this type of development, in Surrey. The Surrey Waste Plan only identified five sites as suitable. These are:; Clockhouse Brickworks, Capel which is subject to a planning application for a 110,000 tonne EfW facility, Trumps Farm, Martyrs Lane, Charlton Lane and Wisley. Capel and Trumps Farm are the preferred sites for Surrey County Council as both these locations can accommodate this type of development.