Trevor Sargent
Question:64 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the Government's position in relation to the incineration of waste. [29550/00]
Written Answers. - Waste Incineration.
The 1998 policy statement Changing our Ways recommended that local authorities identify and assess a range of waste treatment technologies, with a view to the development of an integrated waste management infrastructure appropriate to their particular circumstances.
Thermal treatment of waste, carried on in accordance with high environmental standards, is regarded as environmentally preferable to the disposal of waste by landfill, and plays a major part in municipal waste management in many EU countries, and further afield. Accordingly, Changing our Ways proposed that, where technically and economically feasible, and subject to appropriate attention to materials recycling, incineration with energy recovery or other advanced thermal processes are among the treatment options which should be considered in an integrated waste management strategy. That remains the case.
Question No. 65 taken with Question No. 16.