5th Sep 2009

Middlewich Incinerator

ECGP opposes plans for Middlewich Incinerator

No to Middlewich Incinerator

US multinational Covanta wants to build a 370,000-tonne capacity waste incinerator in Middlewich. Cheshire already has enough provision for the disposal of its waste. Planning permission has already been granted for one million tonnes of waste processing capacity - an incinerator of 850,000 tonnes capacity in Runcorn and a green technology plant of 150,000 tonnes in Northwich. In addition there is a planning application under review for an incinerator of 600,000 tonnes at Ince Marshes near Frodsham.

Cheshire East generates about 136,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste a year; fleets of HGVs converging on Middlewich would be needed to import waste from outside Cheshire in order for the proposed facility to have something to burn. Running at capacity, the facility would produce 130,000 tonnes as ash or recycled metal leaving 240,000 tonnes which would come out of the chimney as smoke and other emissions.

Campaign group Cheshire Anti-Incinerator Network (ChAIN) has collected almost 8000 signatures on a petition against the Middlewich incinerator, while nearly 1000 objections have been lodged with Cheshire East Council. Neighbouring Cheshire West & Chester Council has already called for the plans to be rejected.

The Green Party is opposed to the building of any new waste incinerators and the phasing out of existing facilities. One the one hand, we want to see as much waste as possible recycled, with investment in sustainable waste technology to create renewable energy, which would also lead to the creation of new, green, jobs. On the other hand, there has to be a reduction in the amount of waste created, by for example reducing or eliminating the use of unnecessary packaging and throwaway carrier bags, and encouraging industry to recycle.

East Cheshire Green Party stands alongside the residents of Middlewich, Holmes Chapel & Goostrey in saying a resounding "No!" to Covanta and their incinerator.

To read more about the Green Party's views on waste & recycling, follow this link: http://www.greenparty.org.uk/policies/waste-recycling.html