Incineration in Denmark

Sir, - From an article in your edition of January 9th it is evident that Dr Conchur O Bradaigh, GSE, is opposed to incineration…

Sir, - From an article in your edition of January 9th it is evident that Dr Conchur O Bradaigh, GSE, is opposed to incineration. Even so, he should not try to win his argument by quoting incorrect figures from Denmark.

To set the record straight (with official figures from the Danish Ministry of the Environment and Energy): in 1999 64 per cent of Danish waste was recycled, 24 per cent was incinerated and 12 per cent was deposited in landfills.

I should add that around 60 per cent of Danish dwellings get their heating and hot water from district heating plants - many of these being waste-to-energy plants. - Yours, etc.,

K.E. Tygesen, Ambassador, Royal Danish Embassy, Dublin.