Hythe and Dibden Parish Council moves to the local Energy Recovery Facility to cut its Carbon Footprint

Hythe and Dibden Parish Council moves to the local

Energy Recovery Facility to cut its Carbon Footprint

In the summer of 2021 the Council discussed the findings of an analysis by True Horizon, a company commissioned to analyse the Council’s carbon footprint, and identify ways in which it could be reduced. Much waste (of which 95% is public waste from litter bins) is accumulated by the Council, which currently goes to landfill. True Horizon found that over 80% of the Council’s footprint could be reduced merely by sending to the local energy recovery facility rather than putting into landfill. The Council contacted suitable organisations to identify which would produce the best result for the Council. Veolia’s current system proved the most suitable with the delivery of specialised receptacles; the waste being incinerated weekly to assist in providing energy. A year will be needed to study exactly how much waste can be dealt with this way – however it is a huge leap in the right direction.

Cllr Stephanie Osborne, Chairman of the Council’s Climate Committee, states "This will mean considerable cost savings and a large reduction in the carbon footprint by making these changes. This is good for the environment and good for our Parish".

Joanne Lockwood, the new customer area manager from Veolia added: “Veolia is pleased to confirm that they have started the new year with a new customer on board, Hythe and Dibden Parish Council. On January 4th they took delivery of new containers from Veolia at their collection site off Shore Road in Hythe. In a bid to lower their carbon footprint, one of the main reasons for HDPC to utilise Veolia was for their avoidance of landfills and the benefits of their general waste going to an energy recovery facility (ERF) just 5 miles down the road in Marchwood and not being transported through the country producing emissions and fuel consumption. The ERF is an important source of renewable and sustainable energy and a vital link in the waste management chain. The facility takes waste that cannot be recycled and turns it into energy via the incinerator which is then put back in the National Grid. It then powers local homes and businesses. Our ERFs are constructed and operate within the highest standards of environmental care, meeting or exceeding emissions legislation.”

Cllr Stephanie Osborne