MBM Incineration

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As an additional safety measure, the MBM incinerated by Fibrogen does not contain any traces of spinal cord (the part of the cattle that could be infected).’ (Will our's?)

It added ‘Fibrogen have a number of very strict safety procedures in place to ensure that the ash is transported and disposed of in a safe manner. When the ash is transported to and from the plant, it is in sealed, airtight containers. It is then incinerated at 1200 degrees centigrade. The ash that remains is then transported, in sealed containers, to the landfill site where it is put into an airtight silo and covered with water to prevent any spread. It is then put into the landfill site and immediately covered with other material.’

They also noted that ‘Fibrogen regularly send samples of the ash for testing and those from the chimney beat the standards for emissions set by the environment agency. Fibrogen are currently looking at improving the standards in relation to the ash at the bottom of the grate, this is in accordance with new standards set by the European Union’.

Finally, it concluded, ‘any risk associated with the process of incinerating MBM at Glanford is less than one in 100 billion’.

Pretty long odds then by any standards. Even so, what matters is the perception of risks, and for many people it seems, statistical estimates are less convincing than what looks like real and present dangers. For good or ill then, the MBM issue goes to show yet again just how unpopular combustion is as a way of dealing with wastes of whatever kind. Maybe the technology can be improved. Certainly it must be if we are to continue with waste combustion. But, in an very competitive energy market, there is always the fear that, despite regulatory controls, corners will be cut, and errors made. In which case, given the post -BSE sensitivity of the public to health risks, the prospects for waste combustion of any type look grim.

The implications for waste strategy are clear, and might be positive if emphasis is placed instead on source reduction and recycling. But let's hope that the abandonment of municipal waste combustion and the doubts about MBM does not also undermine the UK’s green power programme.