The Burning Issue

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to Enfinium's director of external affairs and strategic policy Karl Smyth about building carbon capture at the UK’s largest EfW site This episode focuses on:Developing a CCS pilot at the Ferrybridge EfW site next month What comes next after the permitting pause and expected strategic review of EfW capacity With a general election due will a change of government increase focus on the waste sectorUK ETS will “encourage innovation around contracting” Two more EfW plants expected operational next year How a total of six EfW facilities is “probably” enough for the companyWhy carbon capture is like squeezing a double decker bus through a small pipe network

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks ESA executive director Jacob Hayler as the development and future of the UK’s energy-from-waste sector is thrown into the air by the government’s controversial block on new environmental permits. This episode focuses on: Could an EfW moratorium be in Labour’s general election manifesto  “Political interference” in the permitting processShould DEFRA minister Steve Barclay resign?Government has spread investor concern over the entire permitting processIndustry has a “perception that there is a lack of coordination and joined up clarity” within the current government EA struggling with lack of funds and “too many constraints” Concerns including EfW in the UK ETS will lead to “carbon tourism or leakage”Hayler joined the ESA from the city in 2005 as an economist, and has worked to develop market-focused policies that combine environmental and economic sustainability. He also has responsibility at the trade body for policy relating to finance, tax, carbon management, contracts and of course EfW.

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to Gallagher partner Ian Lester.This podcast covers:Why insurers won’t be covering the permitting process anymore Operational plants unable to find insurance Understanding the risks around carbon capture Finding a box of hand grenades dumped in wasteSAF projects are “receiving a lot of interest”Fires in Netherlands and US have concerned insurers covering the sectorHow council can cover facilities as PFI deals end.

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to Waste Knot Energy’s CEO Ian Jones. This episode focuses on:Developing a new market for waste-derived pelletsExporting pellets from the UK for the first time Why the government needs to provide a framework for the EA and other departments “to be more successful”How biogas could reduce WKE’s CO2 footprint to “almost zero”Why more businesses will enter the waste-to-pellet market Investors need to know the era of rapid payback on waste projects has ended Could power stations like Drax run on waste?

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to OCO managing director Graham Cooper. This episode focuses on:What goes into producing limestone aggregateUsing “expensive carbon intensive and non-renewable materials is an outdated view”Landfilling APCr through derogations needs to be “looked at” Pushing the business beyond the UK How does OCO’s carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technology work?The long-standing link between the aggregates and waste industries Expanding current facilities and opening news one 

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to KEW Technology and Circular Fuels’ head of sustainability, ESG and policy. This episode focuses on:Why KEW is out in the market now after years of technology development How the company is changing industry views on gasification technology Growing from a team of ten to 100 The waste sector needs a “unified voice” over lack of clarity around UK ETSIs the waste sector doing enough to encourage people from all backgrounds to join it? Working with Suez and future collaborations  

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to the current president of Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) and former group head of sustainability at Viridor Dan Cooke.This episode focuses on:The UK is developing “world-class regulation”Emissions trading scheme and the impact it will haveHow Viridor moved from landfill to EfW and what happened in betweenThere are still capacity gaps for merchant plants to come inHow data and AI will support the waste sector Alongside his CIWM role Cooke is currently head of protected and historic landscapes at Cornwall Council.Cooke’s career in the waste and resources sector spans three decades and takes in roles in local government, environmental charity and the private sector. He served 21 years with Viridor, holding roles including group head of sustainability, director of regulatory affairs and director of external affairs.He is an environmental (ESG), communications and landscapes professional with over 35 years’ experience in the recycling/waste management, water and landscapes sectors (working across private companies, public authorities and charities). Cooke has also held previous roles with Tidy Britain Group/Environmental Campaigns, and Coventry City Council. Previously he served as chair of the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board (WAMITAB); director of Viridor Credits Environmental Ltd (an independent charity distributing grants of £5-8M/yr via the Landfill Communities Fund); and trustee of the Carymoor Environmental Trust.

EWB editor Luke Walsh talks to the outspoken National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO) secretary and City of Westminster’s waste and recycling manager Jarno StetThis episode focuses on:Social media and does it still have a place for professionalsHow Westminister developed a waste collection fleet powered on the waste it collectsWill producing hydrogen from waste be the next big thingCriticism of local authority waste contracting processes are “cheap”Is the UK reaching EfW capacity and should Europe work together more to share capacity.Stet, who is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Waste Management, specialises in local authority waste management. As the current secretary of the NAWDO, Stet works to support the interests of local authorities when it comes to waste processing. Stet is also waste and recycling manager for local authority Westminster City Council, overseeing waste management for about 250,000 residents, 34,000 businesses and about one million daily commuters and tourists.