§ Mr. KilfoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many waste incinerators there are in the United Kingdom; and how many of them meet European Union standards. [23156]
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§ Mr. ClappisonA figure for the total number of waste incinerators in the United Kingdom is not readily available. Depending upon the size of the incinerator and the type of waste being burnt, the operation of incinerators is regulated by HM inspectorate of pollution, HM industrial pollution inspectorate in Scotland, the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland or local authorities.
The EU legislation relating to waste incineration contains implementation dates by which existing units have to meet new standards. In some cases, tighter emission standards have been agreed. The implementation dates for these various standards have not yet been reached.