The Burning Issue

For the fifth episode of the fourth series, the Burning Issue looks at health and safety in the EfW sector.This episode focuses on: What happens when something does go wrong at an EfW build“Accidents are tragic, but they can be powerful catalysts for change”What are businesses doing to support social sustainabilityWill the spread of AI support H&S and what problem could it bringCompany is currently “facilitating and supporting” around 90% of UK EfWs How to balance speed and safety when deadlines are looming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the fourth episode of the fourth series, the Burning Issue looks at the state of the market for investors in EfW and bioenergy This episode focuses on:Why the company is called Green Giraffe How it's raised £35bn Why heating prisons with EfW is a captivating concept SAF is a hugely growing sectorCould failed gasification plants be converted to waste-to-X projects How to get over grid connection woes Turning Wotsits into biogas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Severnside Carbon Capture and Shipping Hub (7CO2) directors Paul Davies and Keith Birch tell the Burning Issue of the advantage of non-pipeline carbon capture and how it is developing.This episode focuses on:Advantages of flexible non-pipeline carbon capture As the EfW becomes “saturated, CCS is the big area for growth”Why energy recovery can put the ‘Net in Net Zero'Track 2 could see “some uptake of new emerging technologies”How EfW plants could become mini-hubs for CCSCombining SAF production with carbon captureGovernment needs to extend existing Track 1 provisions to Track 2 projects Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Encylis director of policy and sustainability Victoria Merton on carbon capture at Protos, building more facilities and banning recyclets and biogenics from landfill by 2028This episode focuses on:How a team of skilled engineers are looking to build CCS across Encyclis' portfolio Being a year ahead of nearest rival on full-scale EfW carbon capture project Development of the Protos plants has hit some “speed bumps”A ban on all recyclets and biogenics going to landfill by 2028 Preparing for EfW's inclusion in the UK ETS Building more capacity in tougher market conditionsDelivering heat from EfW in Dublin and elsewhere New trade body Resource Recovery UK (RRUK) A graduate of the University of Birmingham, Victoria Merton joined Encyclis when it was called Covanta in 2021 having held senior roles at The Peel Group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI) chief executive Bruno-Frédéric Baudouin tells EWB editor Luke Walsh talks about how the business is developing a new generation of waste processing plants.This episode focuses on:HZI evolving progressively into the leading EfW builder globallyHow the business has, mostly, avoided the financial issues plaguing other EPC builders Moving into the O&M marketFixing plants left unfinished by others Developing a CCS pilot in the UK with Enfinium Why waste-to-X is the future of the sector Now based in Zürich, French national Bruno-Frédéric Baudouin, joined HZI in 2018. He previously held senior roles at GE Power and Alstom Power. A former student at the Ecole Polytechnique of Paris in the 1990s he also achieved a Master of Business Administration from leading business school the Institut Européen d'Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) in 2004. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to Enfinium's director of external affairs and strategic policy Karl Smyth about building carbon capture at the UK's largest EfW site This episode focuses on:Developing a CCS pilot at the Ferrybridge EfW site next month What comes next after the permitting pause and expected strategic review of EfW capacity With a general election due will a change of government increase focus on the waste sectorUK ETS will “encourage innovation around contracting” Two more EfW plants expected operational next year How a total of six EfW facilities is “probably” enough for the companyWhy carbon capture is like squeezing a double decker bus through a small pipe network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks ESA executive director Jacob Hayler as the development and future of the UK's energy-from-waste sector is thrown into the air by the government's controversial block on new environmental permits. This episode focuses on: Could an EfW moratorium be in Labour's general election manifesto “Political interference” in the permitting processShould DEFRA minister Steve Barclay resign?Government has spread investor concern over the entire permitting processIndustry has a “perception that there is a lack of coordination and joined up clarity” within the current government EA struggling with lack of funds and “too many constraints” Concerns including EfW in the UK ETS will lead to “carbon tourism or leakage”Hayler joined the ESA from the city in 2005 as an economist, and has worked to develop market-focused policies that combine environmental and economic sustainability. He also has responsibility at the trade body for policy relating to finance, tax, carbon management, contracts and of course EfW. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to Gallagher partner Ian Lester.This podcast covers:Why insurers won't be covering the permitting process anymore Operational plants unable to find insurance Understanding the risks around carbon capture Finding a box of hand grenades dumped in wasteSAF projects are “receiving a lot of interest”Fires in Netherlands and US have concerned insurers covering the sectorHow council can cover facilities as PFI deals end. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to Waste Knot Energy's CEO Ian Jones. This episode focuses on:Developing a new market for waste-derived pelletsExporting pellets from the UK for the first time Why the government needs to provide a framework for the EA and other departments “to be more successful”How biogas could reduce WKE's CO2 footprint to “almost zero”Why more businesses will enter the waste-to-pellet market Investors need to know the era of rapid payback on waste projects has ended Could power stations like Drax run on waste? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to OCO managing director Graham Cooper. This episode focuses on:What goes into producing limestone aggregateUsing “expensive carbon intensive and non-renewable materials is an outdated view”Landfilling APCr through derogations needs to be “looked at” Pushing the business beyond the UK How does OCO's carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technology work?The long-standing link between the aggregates and waste industries Expanding current facilities and opening news one Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to KEW Technology and Circular Fuels' head of sustainability, ESG and policy. This episode focuses on:Why KEW is out in the market now after years of technology development How the company is changing industry views on gasification technology Growing from a team of ten to 100 The waste sector needs a “unified voice” over lack of clarity around UK ETSIs the waste sector doing enough to encourage people from all backgrounds to join it? Working with Suez and future collaborations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to Sikla's head of sales for the UK, Ireland, Oceania and North America, Harry Starke. This episode focuses on:If Germany and France have 100+ EfWs each why shouldn't the UK?What is was like working on the the troubled “three + one” EfW and biomass projects Why developers need to take steel measurements seriously Dealing with EPC and other contractors on an EfW build Pipework “is what you see all around” EfW plants. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to the current president of Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) and former group head of sustainability at Viridor Dan Cooke.This episode focuses on:The UK is developing “world-class regulation”Emissions trading scheme and the impact it will haveHow Viridor moved from landfill to EfW and what happened in betweenThere are still capacity gaps for merchant plants to come inHow data and AI will support the waste sector Alongside his CIWM role Cooke is currently head of protected and historic landscapes at Cornwall Council.Cooke's career in the waste and resources sector spans three decades and takes in roles in local government, environmental charity and the private sector. He served 21 years with Viridor, holding roles including group head of sustainability, director of regulatory affairs and director of external affairs.He is an environmental (ESG), communications and landscapes professional with over 35 years' experience in the recycling/waste management, water and landscapes sectors (working across private companies, public authorities and charities). Cooke has also held previous roles with Tidy Britain Group/Environmental Campaigns, and Coventry City Council. Previously he served as chair of the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board (WAMITAB); director of Viridor Credits Environmental Ltd (an independent charity distributing grants of £5-8M/yr via the Landfill Communities Fund); and trustee of the Carymoor Environmental Trust. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to the outspoken National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO) secretary and City of Westminster's waste and recycling manager Jarno StetThis episode focuses on:Social media and does it still have a place for professionalsHow Westminister developed a waste collection fleet powered on the waste it collectsWill producing hydrogen from waste be the next big thingCriticism of local authority waste contracting processes are “cheap”Is the UK reaching EfW capacity and should Europe work together more to share capacity.Stet, who is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Waste Management, specialises in local authority waste management. As the current secretary of the NAWDO, Stet works to support the interests of local authorities when it comes to waste processing. Stet is also waste and recycling manager for local authority Westminster City Council, overseeing waste management for about 250,000 residents, 34,000 businesses and about one million daily commuters and tourists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first episode of series three, the Burning Issue podcast returns to the waste exports market to discover if 2023's increase in tonnages would continue EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to Geminor country manager UK Oliver Caunce about being the largest exporter of waste from the UK, how the company got to that position, and how it hopes to stay there as its rivals evolve. This episode also focuses on:2023's rise in UK waste exportscosts have increased for SRF production, driving a swing to RDFhow to cope with new taxes focused on the biogenic content of baled wastewill waste management rise up the political agenda?Geminor's involvement in the development of chemical processes for hard-to-recycle plasticsNorway-headquartered Geminor has facilities and offices in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the UK, Germany, Poland, France and Italy, and employs around 100 professionals and experts in total.The company's subsidiaries mainly deal with the treatment and handling of refuse-derived fuel and solid-recovered fuel production, as well as processing waste wood, paper, cardboard, plastic, hazardous waste and other streams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Burning Issue looks at different elements of the energy recovery sector, taking the starting point that while energy recovery has moved some waste out of landfill, where does the sector go from here? In the final episode of series two, the Burning Issue speaks to Christopher Philpot, senior associate at Trowers & Hamlins LLP.Philpot shines a light on the legal action that has followed several high-profile failures involving gasification-equipped energy-from-waste plants mainly designed to process refuse-derived fuel. This episode focuses on: Why a higher percentage of EfW deals have ended up in court when compared with similar industries Challenges waste-gasification plants have faced in getting through commissioning and then meeting contractual outputs.Major problems with the systems designed to move fuel through plants into the gasifier How to avoid the pitfalls other in the sector have fallen into And why you should “love your contracts” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every fortnight the Burning Issue looks at different elements of the energy recovery sector, taking the starting point that while energy recovery has moved some waste out of landfill, where does the sector go from here?In this eighth episode of series two, the Burning Issue speaks to Hattie Parke as she takes on a new role as director of climate at the government-owned public-private partnership unit known as Local Partnerships. Parke has experienced the EfW sector before at consultancy Eunomia, which is the secretariat of the RDF Industry Group and is still active in it now. The episode focuses on:Opportunities and problems for the EfW sector as long term PFI deals endWhy 25 year contracts are “probably” a thing of the pastWhat local authorities need to do now to get the best value for taxpayersStaying on top of a changing policy environment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every fortnight the Burning Issue looks at different elements of the energy recovery sector, taking the starting point that while energy recovery has moved some waste out of landfill, where does the sector go from here?In this seventh episode of series two, the Burning Issue speaks to Marr Contracting managing director Simon Marr , chair of the RDF Industry Group and managing director of Totus Environmental. The episode focuses on:In the UK Marr is bidding on “a lot of work… getting involved in early planning of some major projects”More lawyers are involved in EfW contracts, “which is never helpful”Using renewable diesel-powered cranes to lower carbon emissions of builds Is the UK a graveyard for EPC contractors? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every fortnight the Burning Issue looks at different elements of the energy recovery sector, taking the starting point that while energy recovery has moved some waste out of landfill, where does the sector go from here?In this sixth episode of series two, the Burning Issue speaks to Andy Jones, chair of the RDF Industry Group and managing director of Totus Environmental. The episode focuses on:Why there is no reason to ban the legitimate export of wasteWaste exporters “sympathetic” to the EA's current plight, but improvements to the TFS process are needed “quickly”Could the UK start to import waste?Is the UK already over capacity in terms of EfW plants? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every fortnight the Burning Issue looks at different elements of the energy recovery sector, taking the starting point that while energy recovery has moved some waste out of landfill, where does the sector go from here?In this fifth episode of series two, the Burning Issue speaks to Tim Rotheray, director of ESG and external affairs at Viridor. The episode focuses on:Forecasting a ban on nitrous oxide and Runcorn's CCS bid getting backingWhat else the company could be interested in buying after several EfW projects and Norway-based Quantafuel Why the Beddington EfW needs to expand as “there's not enough capacity to treat the residual waste generated in the area”How interest around in the circular economy, waste, and recycling is “really growing in a very positive way”Potential impact of the UK's Electricity Generator Levy (EGL) on ViridorRamping up Viridor's first plastic-recycling facility in Avonmouth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every fortnight the Burning Issue looks at different elements of the energy recovery sector, taking the starting point that while energy recovery has moved some waste out of landfill, where does the sector go from here?In this fourth episode of series two, the Burning Issue speaks to Selin Murat of Carbon8 on the developing market for carbon capture. The episode focuses on:The UK's expanding EfW network currently emits about 11Mt/yr of CO2, which is “huge problem to deal with”A drive towards utilising residues from EfW is coming both for economic reasons and to reduce the environmental burden on landfill A slower economy is an “opportunity rather than a concern” as pushing more funding towards new technologies and clean energy solutions can create “thousands of new jobs and significantly lift economic growth”Carbon8 uses a recognized method that sequesters CO2 permanently. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every fortnight the Burning Issue looks at different elements of the energy recovery sector, taking the starting point that while energy recovery has moved some waste out of landfill, where does the sector go from here?In this third episode of series two, the Burning Issue speaks to John Ahern of Indaver with a focus on the company's work in Ireland and its relatively recent expansion into the UK. The episode focuses on:The Rivenhall EfW's ongoing planning workGetting the company's first UK-based facility operational Plans for carbon capture Biogas-production remains on the cards if food-waste policies back it And why the UK is one of the “good place” to operate in term of planning policies Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every fortnight the Burning Issue looks at different elements of the energy recovery sector, taking the starting point that while energy recovery has moved some waste out of landfill, where does the sector go from here?In this second episode of series two, the Burning Issue speaks to Dr Ella Stengler, the managing director of the Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants (CEWEP). The trade body is the umbrella association of the operators of energy-from-waste plants, representing about 410 plants from 23 countries. In total, these plants make up more than 80% of Europe's overall energy recovery capacity. The episode focuses on:Why development of the EU's Taxonomy and ETS revisions are of concern to EfW plant owners The EU landfill directive's implementation “is very poor in many regions” and needs more ambition from policymakers NGOs opposed to CCUS are like NIMBYs against EfW plants Why high power prices make EfW-to-hydrogen production less attractive And what is was like starting out and being the only woman in high-level meetings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every fortnight the Burning Issue looks at different elements of the energy recovery sector, taking the starting point that while energy recovery has moved some waste out of landfill, where does the sector go from here?This episode also focuses on:Scotland was heading for “massive over capacity” by the end of this decadeNo more EfW plants to should be built in the UK after this decade Peel should have waited before pulling plans for its plastics-to-hydrogen plant EfW plants should be shut or have carbon capture by the 2040s And why the EU and UK are right to start moving EfW plant into ETS schemes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this Christmas special and sixth episode the Burning Issue podcast looks at how a local authority-owned EfW facility has been able to hand back profits to councils at a time of belt tightening in public services EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to the councillor Clyde Loakes chair of the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) on how its current EfW plant is paying off and how development of its new facility is coming on.This episode also focuses on:How the NLWA was able to hand back £4.8mWhy landfill is not an option for non-recyclable waste in north London How the congested North Circular is the biggest source of air pollution in the area, not a well-regulated and modern EfW plant, which is also developing carbon capture Why compulsory recycling needs to come in to support waste separation And how 85% of waste could be recycled, but residents and industry need to do more to support local authorities. This episode was recorded before the government confirmed details of its Electricity Generator Levy and before the tragic news of a worker who died on the site of the new EfW plant's build. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every fortnight the Burning Issue looks at different elements of the energy recovery sector, taking the starting point that while energy recovery has moved some waste out of landfill, where does the sector go from here?For the fifth episode EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to the MVV's managing director Paul Carey. The Podcast is about the people as well as the energy recovery sector and Paul also spoke about his work on Owen's law (please see https://owens-law.co.uk/) , which he launched with his family after his son's preventable death from an allergic reaction to restaurant meal. This episode also focuses on:MVV's plans for EfWs in Medworth, Bournemouth and another one at an undisclosed location Why some local authorities are pursuing “a waste of energy solution” to their refuseCarbon capture plans with MVV's Kent-based biomass plant's neighbour EnfiniumAnd why politicians are “running scared of the lobbyists” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every fortnight the Burning Issue looks at different elements of the energy recovery sector, taking the starting point that while energy recovery has moved some waste out of landfill, where does the sector go from here?For the fourth episode EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to the United Kingdom Without Incineration Network, better known as UKWIN. This episode focuses on the other side from the businesses and local authorities which deal with waste and speaks to those opposed to more UK-based energy-from-waste plantsWhether CCS is the new gasification Landfill is bad, but UKWIN say “incineration is worse”The ongoing push for an English moratorium on energy recovery Does the UK have more operational and under construction capacity then genuinely residual waste to burn? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every fortnight the Burning Issue looks at different elements of the energy recovery sector, taking the starting point that while energy recovery has moved some waste out of landfill, where does the sector go from here?In this third episode, EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to Tidy Planet MD Simon Webb about the market for small-scale EfW plants. This podcast covers: Why Brexit means more waste has to be incinerated from EU-to-UK flights and how small scale plants can help “Significant difference” for permitting of small plants that can be done in 6–9 nine months as opposed to up two years for larger facilities How smaller EfW plants have benefits over larger facilities to divert waste from landfill Small plants can help with the UK's desperate need for energy Wales' moratorium allows for smaller plants, but not in Scotland where the SWIP system is not used. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every fortnight the Burning Issue looks at different elements of the energy recovery sector, taking the starting point that while energy recovery has moved some waste out of landfill, where does the sector go from here?For the second episode EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to Andusia director Mark Terrell. This episode focuses on what happens to waste that can be processed for energy recovery in the UK and why there is demand from other facilities in Europe for it. This podcast covers: The future of waste exports A look at policy decision in the UK and abroad concerning waste imports and exports What the waste sector can do to improve stagnating recycling rates are ever to rise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every fortnight the Burning Issue looks at different elements of the energy recovery sector, taking the starting point that while energy recovery has moved some waste out of landfill, where does the sector go from here?This month for the first episode EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to Suez's Dr Adam Read about the “new Suez” business, working with an ever changing UK government and why those opposing energy recovery have the “moral high ground”.This podcast covers: Why moratoriums on EfW in Scotland and Wales won't work as “they're not self-sufficient in the truest sense”What the UK's future capacity looks like and why the sector need to be “totally honest and transparent” about sites that may or may not be builtHow long will it be until UK-based EfW sites are fitted with carbon capture technology And why it is consumers and not energy recovery who need to change if stagnating recycling rates are ever to rise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.