Creating energy out of waste
We at Initial are fully supportive of the incineration of plastic waste to produce energy, plastics have a very high calorific value.
Some facts to consider:
- mixed plastics have an energy content of 9586 kWh/tonne. This is 37% higher than coal, four times higher than municipal solid waste (MSW), twice as high as paper/newspaper.
- If all the MSW in the UK was incinerated it would meet 5% of the UK’s total energy requirements.
- Currently the UK incinerates 9% of its MSW. Denmark incinerates 54% and France 40%.
Polythene Fact
A lot of plastic food packages are composite structures or become heavily contaminated with food waste. In these circumstances incineration for energy is a more environmentally friendly solution
