UK tightens regulations on new waste incinerator projects

UK – The UK government has announced stricter planning rules for new waste incineration projects in England, requiring them to meet tougher local and environmental criteria.

This decision follows growing concerns over the environmental impact of waste incineration, which accounted for nearly half of all local authority-collected waste in 2022/23—raising alarms over lost recycling opportunities and emissions.

Under the new measures, incinerator developers must demonstrate that their facilities:

• Support net zero and circular economy goals,
• Reduce reliance on landfill by managing non-recyclable waste more efficiently,
• Replace older, less efficient plants,
• Are designed with future carbon capture systems in mind,
• Have clear strategies for utilizing generated heat—for instance, in industrial processes or local heating networks.

In addition, to obtain an environmental permit, incinerators must comply with strict pollution controls regulated by the Environment Agency, addressing long-standing public concerns about air quality and community health.

Ensuring capacity while advancing sustainability

The government’s Residual Waste Infrastructure Capacity Note, released alongside the policy update, indicates that the UK’s waste infrastructure is on track.

By 2035, the country’s energy-from-waste (EfW) plants are projected to process 18.8 million tonnes of residual waste annually.

With reforms such as Simpler Recycling, the Deposit Return Scheme, and Extended Producer Responsibility, total residual waste is expected to decline to 17.6 million tonnes by 2042—reducing the need for new incinerators.

Mary Creagh, Circular Economy Minister, emphasized the policy shift, “For too long, England has relied on burning household waste instead of supporting communities to keep valuable resources in circulation. These new conditions will ensure that only efficient, net-zero-aligned projects receive approval.”

Incineration as a transitional solution

While incineration remains preferable to landfill and contributes around 3% of the UK’s total energy output, the focus is shifting toward plants that incorporate heat recovery and carbon capture to maximize benefits.

Charlotte Rule, Head of Climate and Energy Policy at the Environmental Services Association, welcomed the changes, “Recovering energy and materials from residual waste is vital for a circular economy. But future development must reflect falling waste volumes and decarbonization goals.”

The government is also exploring incentives to ensure new facilities are heat-export ready from day one and aligned with the UK’s evolving waste and climate policies.

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