Madam, – Contrary to what Rosie Cargin thinks (January 5th), the Dublin waste-to-energy incinerator will contribute more to meet the climate change objectives for the Dublin region than any combination of mechanical and biological treatment (MBT), anaerobic digestion, co-incineration using waste as a fuel, or landfill.
Additionally, the Poolbeg plant will divert 600,000 tonnes of waste from landfill. It will supply energy to 50,000 homes, as well as district heating to the equivalent of another 60,000 homes.
There is no credible evidence that modern incinerators impose any risk to health.
The waste management plan has recycling as its cornerstone, and has already reached 41 per cent, up from 8 per cent. The plan aims to minimise the amount of waste going to landfill. The Poolbeg plant will treat waste that cannot be recycled and should not be landfilled.
Dublin’s waste plan is similar in strategy to those of many of Europe’s top waste management cities, including Stockholm, European Green Capital 2010.
MBT is, of its nature, smelly and dirty. It involves taking mixed waste from a black bin and extracting the compostable and recyclable materials, with the remainder going to incineration and/or landfill. It is no magic solution and is particularly unsuited to Dublin’s three-bin system for householders, now being rolled out in the region.
The incinerator/waste-to-energy plant will ensure Dublin will meet its EU landfill diversion targets.
We currently landfill 735,000 tonnes of waste in the Dublin region. This has to stop. – Yours, etc,