31/01/2005 - The Environment
Agency has revised its protocol for the
burning of substitute fuels in cement and
lime kilns in England and Wales.
The revised protocol, published today, sets
out for the benefit of Environment Agency
officers, industry, statutory consultees
and the general public, guidance on the
procedures to be followed and the considerations
to be given to the use of substitute fuels
in cement and lime manufacturing. It comes
into force from today, 1 February 2005.
This will bring a number of environmental
benefits: help conserve our natural resources
by using the energy from waste and saving
non-renewable fossil fuels help with the
sustainable management of waste and contribute
to the Government’s Waste Strategy by reducing
the amount of waste that has to be disposed
of reduce the overall emissions to air,
primarily oxides of nitrogen (NOx) that
are normally produced by combustion processes
The revised protocol requires kiln operators
to:justify the environmental benefits of
the waste streams they are seeking to substitute
for conventional fossil fuels make information
available to the public on the substitute
fuel engage in open consultation with local
communities about proposals to burn substitute
fuel and about any significant proposed
changes to burning substitute fuel meet
revised emissions monitoring and reporting
requirements designed to reflect the materials
in the fuel being used Chief Executive of
the Environment Agency Barbara Young said:
"We have consulted extensively and
listened carefully to what people have had
to say about substitute fuel burning in
cement and lime kilns. The revised protocol
will continue to provide effective protection
of public health and the environment. We
will ensure there are mechanisms in place
to keep local communities well-informed
about emissions and engaged with the regulatory
decision-making process where plant operators
propose substituting conventional fuels.
"
"Through the protocol, we can realise
the environmental benefits of reducing fossil
fuel use, cutting emissions of key air pollutants
and reducing the volume of waste which has
to be disposed of in other ways, such as
landfill."
Substitution of fossil fuels with waste
streams is a practice common across Europe
and one which is increasingly being proposed
by cement and lime manufacturers in the
UK.
The Environment Agency will continue to
support the Government’s Waste Strategy
as a general guide to selecting the best
option for dealing with waste. Cement and
lime kilns, and waste incinerators all have
a role to play in waste management. The
Agency will continue to encourage the recovery
of energy from waste and prevent the use
of cement and lime kilns for the disposal
of waste that does not provide energy to
the process.
The Environment Agency will require the
operator of a plant to consult the local
community before applying for an environmental
permit or a change to an existing one wherever
substitute fuels are involved.
The revised Substitute Fuels Protocol is
available via the link displayed.
A summary of responses made during the
consultation period is also available online.
See link.
Notes to Editors
The Environment Agency originally published
a Substitute Fuels Protocol in 1999, setting
out detailed consultation requirements over
substitute fuel applications and detailed
monitoring requirements and controls on
the constituents of the substitute fuel.
The Environment Agency held a three month
period of consultation leading up to the
currently proposed revisions to the Protocol.
Consultation was conducted in line with
Cabinet Office guidelines. A copy of the
original consultation document can be found
via the link to responses.
Recent European Court of Justice (ECJ)
judgments on transfrontier shipment of waste
clarified the criteria for distinguishing
between recovery and disposal of wastes.
Revision of the Substitute Fuels Protocol
is also consistent with new EU legislation
(the Waste Incineration Directive) and European
Court of Justice judgments.
