Environment (Wales) Bill National Assembly for Wales

Please see below the link to the environment Bill being considered in Welsh Assembly Environment Committee. Please see part 4 where the wording states that sink to sewer disposal of food waste will be banned and that food waste cannot be incinerated. The explanatory notes also say that food waste should not be treated in a manner that prevents it from realising its full recycling potential. This is likely to also prohibit the use of waste digesters.

Extracts from the explanatory documents:-

 Disposal of food waste to sewer
192. Currently, subject to restrictions in the Water Industry Act 1991, food waste can be disposed of to sewer, normally via intermediate technology such as a food waste disposal unit. This is a less sustainable option than other technologies, for example anaerobic digestion, that produce energy and high quality fertiliser from food waste.

 Purpose of Legislation
193. The Bill introduces new arrangements in relation to waste segregation and collection for both its production and the collection services. The overall policy intention is to deliver a step change in the recycling and recovery of waste in Wales by aiming to: Maximise the quantity of materials available for recycling, including food waste. Improve the quality of materials available for recycling. Make sure that materials which could have been recycled are not wasted. Protect the environment by ensuring that only residual waste streams are finally disposed of in landfill or incinerated. Provide greater certainty for investment in recycling, waste collection and treatment infrastructure. In addition, reduce the likelihood of blockages or obstruction to sewers, caused by food waste.

http://www.senedd.assembly.wales/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=12572