QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: Surely we need incinerators to dispose of all the waste we produce, we cannot keep burying it in landfill?

A: Currently Nottingham City only recycles 9% of its waste, most of the rest is incinerated at Eastcroft. We need to tackle the problem head on by producing less waste and by recycling. Over 80 % of household waste can be recycled or composted.

Incinerators do not destroy waste, they simply convert it into toxic gases and dilute the rest into the air for us to breath. As much as 40% then still ends up in landfill as toxic waste.

Q: Are emissions from Eastcroft safe?

A: No, emission levels set for incinerators are levels which are technically or economically achievable levels. There are no safe levels for many of the toxic poisonous substances emitted from the incineration process, such as heavy metals, PCB’s and dioxins.

Q: But Eastcroft uses the waste heat to make electricity and heat businesses and homes in the city.

A: This is true however if the materials were recycled instead, this would save far more energy than is recovered. Therefore pollution and emissions would be greatly reduced. For example;

q      Plastic - Plastic accounts for 4% of oil consumption, oil is a non-renewable resources.

q      Paper – Half of Europe’s forests have already disappeared. Logging for paper production is moving into the wildlife rich forests including primary rainforest home to some of the world’s most endangered species.