§ Mr. Simon ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether there are economic disincentives for waste-to-energy incinerators to burn source separated waste.[187069]
§ Mr. MorleyThere are no direct economic disincentives for waste-to-energy incinerators to burn source separated waste. Incentives to recycle source separated waste exist and these act as indirect disincentives to burn source separated waste. Examples of these incentives include local authority statutory performance standards for recycling and composting and the recycling targets set out in the European directive on packaging and packaging waste.
Government announced in Budget 2002 that the case for an economic instrument for incineration would be considered. As there is a range of issues associated with developing an effective waste management and disposal mix, the Government commissioned a study to identify the environmental and health impacts of all 1420W waste management and disposal options (http://www.defra.goy.uk/environment/waste/health-effects/health-report.pdf). A second, related study seeking to identify the economic values of the impacts and pollutants identified in the first study is currently under way.
The case for using economic instruments for incineration will be considered in light of this work and in consultation with Dther stakeholders.