F.A.Q

Here are some of our frequently asked questions

I am concerned about the pollution produced by the plant. Can we expect a dramatic increase of emissions in the local area?

In issuing the EfW plant’s Environmental Permit, the Environment Agency presented its decision summary relating to the potential impacts of the plant on human health and local air quality, which states:

 

Our conclusion is that we consider the proposed facility is unlikely to contribute to any breach of the relevant air quality standards for human health and the environment…

For the proposed design and operation of the incinerator plant, we believe that emissions of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) have been demonstrated to be insignificant…

We are confident that the stringent controls imposed by UK and European legislation coupled with effective day to day regulation will safeguard human health in the locality of the facility. 

Is there a need for this plant?

Yes. Around 500,000 tonnes of waste from Essex is currently landfilled or exported outside of the county and even abroad to energy-from-waste facilities on the continent.

Will there be an increase in trucks driving through the surrounding villages?

No. All trucks entering the EfW plant will use the existing site road that serves the quarry via the A120. Although the site road crosses 2 local roads, the bollards in place make it impossible for a truck to turn onto the site road at those points.

Will there be an increase in pollution from all of the waste being trucked to the Rivenhall EfW plant?

No. All of that waste currently goes elsewhere – some of it over to the continent for disposal. Some waste will now undoubtedly have a shorter journey.

What happens to the ash left after burning?

Around 20% of the volume of the waste will remain as non-hazardous ash. This will be processed to remove metals for recycling and the remainder will be processed into secondary aggregate for the construction industry.

Will the EfW plant discourage recycling?

No. The EfW plant will incinerate residual waste left over after recycling.

When disposing of household waste, if cardboard or plastics are wet or soiled in any way, they cannot be recycled as they are considered contaminated. This waste still needs to be disposed of safely and as efficiently as possible.

Investment in new or expanded EfW plant’s only take place in well justified cases, in full respect of the waste hierarchy. EfW’s are sized appropriately to cope with demand and are not a replacement for recycling, the plants simply compliments these efforts by reliably treating waste that cannot be recycled.

Does the facility produce renewable energy?

Yes. The EfW plant will generate up to 65MW of electricity, some of which will be used to power the facility. The rest will be exported to the electricity grid and used to power homes in Essex. It’s classified as ‘renewable’ energy if it’s derived from an organic renewable source. On average, approximately 50% of “black bin” waste is categorised organic/biogenic which means your bins could be lighting your home.

Why do the plans for the site keep changing?

It becomes necessary to alter plans to suit changing industry needs. The waste industry is continually progressing as technologies change, markets evolve and legislation is amended, which the site plans need to follow.

Will the plant harm wildlife?

No. The grounds of the EfW plant will be planted with a variety of vegetation, including some woodland and a medieval moat home to a small colony of great crested newts. Indaver’s Meath facility in Ireland is in a similar rural setting and the grounds are home to hares, bats, newts, foxes, bumblebees and a wide variety of wildflowers and insects.

Ecologists are being consulted about all works on site and supervising the works carried out to protect and preserve the wildlife local to the area.

How much CO2 does the plant produce?

The EfW plant will produce around 500,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. The alternative is to send the waste to landfill where it degrades and produces methane, a much more potent greenhouse gas. Landfill produces an additional 200kg CO2 equivalent per tonne of waste compared to incineration. This means that treating the waste in the Rivenhall  EfW plant actually saves the equivalent of 120,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

When is construction due to start on site and how long will this take?

Construction started in 2021. Commissioning of the EfW plant will commence in June 2025, and the plant is due to be fully operational in March 2026. Other parts of the IWMF will follow on.

Will there be job opportunities for locals (either in construction or operation)?

Yes, we are currently recruiting for several positions. Please see here –

https://indaver.com/careers/our-vacancies/vacancies-uk

How does the EfW facility contribute to the circular economy?

The circular economy encourages the elimination of waste and the continual use of resources. Unfortunately, as a nation, we still produce a lot of waste (much of it non-recyclable) that needs to be treated.

 

Nonrecyclable waste needs secure and reliable treatment to avoid further pollution. Energy from Waste facilities create energy from these contaminated materials and black bin waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill. Plants like the Rivenhall EfW also offer the highest possible recycling rate of the metals that occur in the residue, contributing to a more resource-efficient economy where as many valuable materials are kept in use for as long as possible.

What are the plans for the historical/listed buildings on the site?

Indaver will be preserving the history of the site by restoring and refurbishing the grade II listed Woodhouse Farm and Brewhouse. The proposed plans are to turn these spaces into a visitor centre and museum, we’re considering various options to make use of the other buildings on site.

Will the plant power my home?

The power generated by the plant will be exported to the local electricity distribution network and used locally, though there’s no way to tell exactly which homes it will power.

How tall will the stack be?

The stack is now at its final height of 35m above surrounding ground level.

Will the site discharge water to the River Blackwater?

Only surface water, i.e. rainwater, will be discharged from site. Surface water runoff currently passes through interceptors and is collected in the lagoon on site. The water will be pumped along pipework laid under the access road and into a ditch at Church Road, where it will flow into the River Blackwater. A flood risk assessment has been carried out and demonstrated that the rate of flow will be lower than the natural greenfield run-off rate that existed before the area was quarried. The entire area naturally drains to the river.

Rain that falls in operational areas of the plant where it could become contaminated does not enter the drainage system. It is collected in an underground tank and will be used to quench the hot ash. No process water or contaminated water will be discharged from site.

The current EA permit amendment application includes this water discharge point. The EA does not regulate surface water discharge, but the existing permit specified that there was no discharge from site, so this is being amended. No procees water from the IWMF will be discharged from site.

Will waste be imported from outside the UK?

No. Most of the waste will be from Essex, and some from surrounding counties. The EA permit lists the types of waste the IWMF can accept by EWC (European Waste Catalogue) code. This is a Europe-wide classification system, and does not mean the waste will come from elsewhere in Europe.