Recycling

Organic Treatments

Energy Treatments

Landfill

 
ELWA estimates that up to 17% of its waste can be recycled at a cost which is comparable to landfill. Recycling is considered to be the most environmentally sustainable treatment option.

  
ELWA estimates that up to 26% of its waste can be composted and/or digested. Composting is considered to be one of the most environmentally sustainable treatment options.

ELWA estimates that up to 59% of the waste can be diverted from landfill as a result of the use of energy recovery and mixed waste recycling. Modern waste incineration is widely considered to be environmentally sustainable. The cost of this approach in East London could be comparable with the cost of landfill within five years of operation.

Material recycling is likely to require the establishment of expensive kerbside collection systems. The cost of recycling is not likely to be cheaper than landfill for about 10 years. The viability of recycling is very dependent upon the sale value of recyclable materials.

Composting could require the establishment of an expensive waste collection system. The cost of composting is not likely to be comparable to landfill for 15 years or so. The extent to which the composted material can be used as a product varies considerably.

Waste incineration is considered by some to be environmentally damaging and possibly involving diversion from recycling. This option may result in longer planning processes.

The cost of landfill is likely to rise significantly. The rate of increase will be unpredictable. Landfill is considered to be the least favourable approach in environmental terms. As local landfill sites close, ELWA may have to take waste further away from East London.