There will be no significant impact from solid waste arising during the development of the proposed power plant.

Transcription

1 11 SOLID WASTE 11.1 SUMMARY OF RESIDUAL IMPACTS There will be no significant impact from solid waste arising during the development of the proposed power plant INTRODUCTION This chapter considers the impacts of short-term and long-term waste generated during the development of the proposed power plant at the Baglan Bay site. The assessment focuses on two potential impacts of the proposed scheme: waste generated during the construction phase; and the permanent long-term impact of waste generated after the completion of the proposed scheme ASSESSMENT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY The Approach The methodology and criteria used defines the type of wastes that may occur, their impacts and ways to mitigate those impacts Sources of Information Data collected to establish the impacts in the study area were collected from the following sources: Planning Policy Wales, March 2002; People, Places, Futures: The Wales Spatial Plan, November 2004; Technical Advice Note (TAN) 21, Waste 2001; Wise about Waste: The National Waste Strategy for Wales, June 2002; Neath Port Talbot County Borough Adopted Unitary Development Plan Deposit, March 2008; Regional Waste Plan for the South West Wales Region, November 2003; Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Municipal Waste Strategy, November 2003; 11-1

2 The European Waste Catalogue, May 2000; DTI Site Waste Management Plans, July 2004; and Environment Agency, Hazardous Waste and Contaminated Soils, What you need to Know, July LEGISLATION AND POLICY REVIEW Introduction New developments must take into account that Wales is working towards challenging targets for recycling and landfill diversion and align with them to ensure that these targets can be met. These targets require that management practices are moved up the waste management hierarchy. The waste management hierarchy is an order of preference for waste management where waste minimisation, recycling and composting is preferred to incineration and landfill disposal. All waste management schemes must be in accordance with national, regional and local policies National Level Policies Planning Policy Wales, March 2002 Planning Policy Wales states that the proximity principle should be applied, especially in managing waste and pollution (1). The plan also states that all planning policies and proposals should play an appropriate role in securing the provision of infrastructure. This is to include waste management facilities (2) and encourage opportunities to reduce waste and all forms of pollution and promote good environmental management and best environmental practice (3). Adequate and efficient infrastructure for services such as waste management is crucial for the economic, social and environmental sustainability of all parts of Wales (4). The plan states that the design process should seek to maximise energy efficiency and minimise the use of non-renewable resources and the generation of waste and pollution (5). The plan also states that in determining planning applications for industrial and commercial uses, local planning authorities should have regard to the generation waste (6). All planning policy must ensure that appropriate facilities are established to reduce, re-use, recover and, where necessary, safely dispose of waste, so as to meet the Assembly Government s objectives for waste management. (1) Planning Policy Wales, March 2002, Section 2.2.1, Bullet 8 (2) Planning Policy Wales, March 2002, Section 2.3.2, Bullet 5 (3) Planning Policy Wales, March 2002, Section 2.3.2, Bullet 9 (4) Planning Policy Wales, March 2002, Section 12.5, 12.6, 12.7 (5) Planning Policy Wales, March 2002, Section (6) Planning Policy Wales, March 2002, Section

3 Decisions on planning applications should also have regard to the waste management objectives in the national waste strategy (1). People, Places, Futures: The Wales Spatial Plan, November 2004 The Wales Spatial Plan states that tighter European legislation on waste will require a stronger stance on managing the issue. The Wales Waste Strategy sets out stringent targets to increase recycling and energy recovery from waste and to ensure waste is handled effectively and safely. One of the principles is that waste is dealt with as near as possible to its source (2). The plan also states that a key objective is to tackle existing infrastructure constraints, supporting the sustainable futures of communities by investment in our infrastructure: in water, sewerage, waste and energy (3). The objectives will have particular bearing on the assessment of spatially targeted actions. Those related to waste include: the work of the regional waste forum to determine the framework for deciding the location of waste sites will be successfully concluded (4) ; and reflect the roles of different settlements and their transport connections in planning policies. These must also consider the location of major investments of public importance such as hospitals and education and waste facilities (5). Technical Advice Note (TAN) 21, Waste 2001 Technical Advice Note (TAN) 21, Waste provides advice on planning framework in Wales; regional co-ordination in Wales; principles and techniques; planning considerations in waste issues; unitary development plans; development control; and types of waste (6). Wise about Waste: The National Waste Strategy for Wales, June 2002 Wise about Waste: The National Waste Strategy for Wales meets the requirements for a national waste strategy for Wales laid down in the Environmental Protection Act The strategy replaces the Waste Strategy 2000 (England and Wales). The strategy, together with Environment Agency Wales Strategic Waste Management Assessment 2000: Wales', and with measures taken by the Assembly Government to ensure that the planning system makes provision for the necessary waste management infrastructure. It also satisfies the waste management plan requirements of the EC s Framework Directive on Waste, (1) Planning Policy Wales, March 2002, Section 12.5, 12.6, 12.7 (2) The Wales Spatial Plan, November 2004, Section 2, National Framework, Valuing our Environment, Fourth Objective (3) The Wales Spatial Plan, November 2004, Section 2, National Framework, Valuing our Environment, Eighth Objective (4) The Wales Spatial Plan, November 2004, Section 2, National Framework, Valuing our Environment, Seventh Action (5) The Wales Spatial Plan, November 2004, Section 2, National Framework, Achieving Sustainable Accessibility, Ninth Objective (6) Welsh Assembly Government, Technical Advice Note (TAN) 21, Waste

4 Hazardous Waste Directive, Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and Landfill Directive (1). The strategy is a statement of national policy that local planning authorities in Wales must have regard to as a material consideration when exercising functions under the Town and Country Planning Act The Assembly Government also expects Assembly Sponsored Public Bodies and other public sector organisations to support the waste strategy in carrying out their functions (2). Additionally, the Strategy has the target to re-use and recycle at least 85% construction and demolition waste produced by A revised Waste Strategy for Wales is due for consultation in the following six months, for possible release sometime in There were no details available on the specific focus areas of the new strategy, although it is expected that there would be further emphasis on tightening waste minimisation objectives and increasing recycling rates. This would be in line with the direction of the recently released Waste Strategy for England Regional Level Regional Waste Plan for the South West Wales Region;, November 2003 The Regional Waste Plan for the South West Wales Region encourages a coordinated approach to waste management. It relates to the eight constituent authorities of the South West Region, including Neath and Port Talbot. The plan shows how the region will manage wastes into the future in accordance with the following principles: regional self sufficiency; the proximity principle; the waste hierarchy; and sustainability (3). The plan summarises the key technologies that are likely to underpin future waste management in the region. The framework presented in the plan sets out details of the capacity requirements for each waste stream, for each Unitary Authority, for the year (1) Wise about Waste: The National Waste Strategy for Wales, Section (2) Wise about Waste: The National Waste Strategy for Wales, Section ( 3 ) Regional Waste Plan for the South West Region, Section

5 Local Level Neath Port Talbot County Borough Adopted Unitary Development Plan, March The Neath Port Talbot County Borough Unitary Development Plan (NPTCBUDP) was adopted in March Two specific policies contained within the NPTCBUDP relate to waste: Policy 24 - New development will be expected to include processes and facilities to minimise the creation of waste, and as far as is feasible to treat waste which is created within the site. Policy 25 - The creation of a network of waste treatment and disposal facilities to meet the needs of the County Borough will be promoted through the plan (1) BASELINE CONDITIONS The baseline, for the purpose of this assessment, is the site at the present time within the former BP Chemicals Baglan Bay works. All the waste arising during the development has been assessed as part of the ES for these works. As there are no activities being undertaken on the site presently, this baseline assumes that there is currently no waste being generated on site POTENTIAL IMPACTS Construction Waste There will be waste generated during the construction phase. These are likely to include concrete, brick, tiles, ceramics, wood, glass, plastic, bituminous mixtures, coal tar, tarred products, metals, soils, stones, insulation materials, gypsum-based materials, paint, varnished, and sealants (2). The Welsh Assembly Government encourages industry to reduce waste at all stages of construction by considering long term impacts of design, build and waste management (3). Best practices in construction waste management must minimise waste generation and maximise the recovery of materials. This will be achieved through the production of Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) to improve environmental performance, meet regulatory controls, and reduce disposal costs (4). The SWMPs will be produced in conjunction with the Code of Construction Practice (CoCP) for the scheme. Furthermore, the SWMPs will also be in line with the National Strategy target for recycling (1) Neath Port Talbot County Borough Unitary Development Plan March 2008 (2) The European Waste Catalogue & Hazardous Waste List, Chapter 17 (3) Wise about Waste: The National Waste Strategy for Wales, Section (4) DTI Site Waste Management Plans: Guidance for Construction for Contractors and Clients, July 2004, Section

6 at least 85% construction and demolition waste (C&D). The materials must be collected and brought to an appropriate facility for their proper management. Approximately 75% of the C&D material in Wales is recovered for reuse and recycling. The remaining portion is landfilled (1). Any recyclable materials will be recycled where possible and non-hazardous, organic materials will be sent for composting. Every opportunity will be taken to incorporate spoil and excavation arising within the landscape plan for the project, subject to spoil condition and regulatory and waste legislative rules. These measures will be taken to minimise the amount of waste from the construction phase as much as possible. Any hazardous materials that arise will have to be treated accordingly, as they can not be landfilled. The construction sites will be designed to facilitate the storage and sorting of materials. The sites will be easily accessible to site operatives and waste collectors and will not pose a health or safety risk. Residual wastes remaining will be sent to the local energy from waste facility, rather than landfilling, subject to waste acceptance criteria. Contaminated Soils Contaminated land is covered in Chapter 10 of this ES. This Chapter concludes that the remediation/validation works to be conducted for the development footprint will produce a final soil condition that does not unduly constrain any eventual permitted land use. Notwithstanding this, previously conducted site investigations for the site and surrounds have shown some localised exceedance of potential contaminants above their respective screening criteria. Any unacceptable risk to public health or controlled waters has however been ruled out, because: the exceedances are neither widespread nor significant in the context of the risk assessment thresholds developed for the site ; and there will also be a requirement as part of development to provide remediation and validation of the site in accordance with the wider requirements of PPS23 Planning and Pollution Control and the overall UK policy objective of safeguarding human health and the environment. As such, the disposal of contaminated soils is not considered further in this chapter. Inert Soils Treated soils that meet inert criteria and other non-contaminated soils that arise from redevelopment do not have to be sent to landfill. Inert soils may be reused on or off site for a variety of applications, including: restoration, fill and landscaping. (1) Wise about Waste: The National Waste Strategy for Wales, Table

7 The development will comply with targets set in the National Waste Strategy for C&D waste, which aims to re-use or recycle at least 85% of C&D waste produced by 2010 (1). There will not be a significant impact from waste during the construction phase, under the condition that no significant quantities of hazardous materials are on-site Operational Waste All waste will be managed in accordance with national, regional and local policies. The development at Baglan Bay will comply with the objectives set out in the national and local waste strategies for the reduction of waste going to landfill. There will not be a significant impact from waste during the operational phase, under the condition that infrastructure, policies and waste management plans are adequately advanced to promote appropriate waste reduction, reuse/recycling and recovery. Sufficient space will be allocated on site to accommodate containers for the collection of waste generated by the project. The site will be easily accessible to on site personnel and waste collection operators. The details of waste management will be addressed through the development of a waste management plan to manage ongoing operational wastes. Liquid discharges are considered within Chapter 13 Water Resources. During operation, various waste materials will arise in small quantities. Theses are likely to include the waste set out in Table Table 11.1 Operational Wastes Material Used spill kit material, oily rags etc Nature of Wastes Hazardous Probable Management Method Implement procedure to minimise the risk of spills. General office waste Non hazardous Separate and recycle all office paper, paper, plastic and other recyclables. Compressor wash fluid Hazardous Stabilisation or waste to energy treatment. Used insulation material Non Hazardous Landfill. Waste mineral oil Hazardous Recycle. Scrap metal Non Hazardous Recycle ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Dispose appropriately of any scrap metals. (1) Wise about Waste: The National Waste Strategy for Wales, Section

8 Material Nature of Probable Management Method Wastes Used antifreeze Non hazardous Stabilisation or waste to energy treatment. Water Treatment Plant Hazardous Chemicals Contaminated oily water Hazardous Recycled Separation of oily component and water to minimise amount for disposal, followed by waste to energy treatment. Wood Non hazardous Recycle. Cardboard Non hazardous Recycle. Turbine oil Hazardous Waste to energy treatment. Light bulbs Hazardous Recycle magnesium containing light bulbs. Maintenance waste Hazardous Waste to energy treatment or landfill. Paper Non hazardous Recycle clean paper. Green waste (landscaping) Non hazardous Send for composting. Electrical equipment Hazardous Recycling where possible followed by landfill of non-recyclable equipment. Batteries Hazardous Recycle batteries where possible. Canteen waste Non Hazardous Separate organic wastes for composting. Separate clean recyclables such as paper, plastic, aluminium and steel cans for recycling. Waste fuels Hazardous Recycling. Laboratory waste Hazardous Waste to Energy. Miscellaneous waste Non hazardous Recycling where possible, followed by landfill MITIGATION AND MONITORING Waste Management Plan A waste management plan for both the construction and operational phases will be produced. The plan will promote sustainable waste management practices by implementing a sustainable, integrated approach to waste 11-8

9 production, management and regulation through promotion of the waste hierarchy. Waste management plans will minimise the production of waste, minimise environmental impacts of waste and maximise the use of unavoidable waste as a resource. The waste management plan will also minimise the use of energy from waste and landfill. It must also comply with the requirements of relevant European Council (EC) Waste Directives and UK legislation. The Waste Strategy for England 2007 (1) included Defra s commitment to consult on regulations for Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs). This will make it mandatory for those responsible for projects above a certain threshold to prepare plans before work begins on site. Subject to consultation, they will require projects to forecast and monitor the amount of waste produced, reused and recycled, and to promote the opportunities of reducing waste at source. Although the strategy is for England, as the Wales Waste Strategy is being updated soon, there is the potential that this will be a legislative requirement in the near future. A site waste management plan for use by contactors and clients will be produced during the construction phase to ensure best management practices (this will be produced in conjunction with the CoCP) Treatment and Disposal A reduction in waste generation is essential in order to meet targets set in the local and national strategies, followed by the increased re-use of waste. In implementing the waste hierarchy, waste incineration with energy recovery is preferred to disposal to landfill. The final method of disposal for waste may vary and will be confirmed during production of the waste management plans. A combination of landfill or mechanical biological treatment (MBT), recycling, composting and transfer stations are most likely. Biodegradable material or compost is generally treated using windrow, invessel, or anaerobic digestion technologies. Biodegradable materials that contain food or catering waste are subject to the Animal By-Product Regulations. Special collection and treatment by licensed contractors is required for hazardous wastes. Some hazardous wastes can not be sent to landfill. The implementation of more recycling and composting will contribute to sustainable management of waste at the development. All disposal methods must be in accordance with national, regional and local policies. (1) 1 Waste Strategy for England 2007, Defra, England, Point

10 Limited treatment and disposal facilities exist in Wales. Consequently, a review of operating facilities will be undertaken to confirm the exact paths of treatment and disposal closer to commencement of the construction phase. Nevertheless, the sites currently available have been reviewed below in order to inform waste planning for the development. Some sites that may be considered for treatment and disposal of wastes generated from the project include: Crymlyn Burrows Material Recovery and Energy Centre: At this facility waste materials are sorted and separated for recycling, garden waste composted and suitable material processed to produce a fuel that generates energy for use by the facility (1) ; and Pwllfawatkin Landfill: A major landfill site is established in Neath and Port Talbot, the Pwllfawatkin landfill site CONCLUSION AND SUMMARY OF RESIDUAL IMPACTS Waste generated during the construction phase will be managed through Site Waste Management Plans. Waste minimisation and the recovery of materials are essential to an effective plan. Waste generated after the completion of the project will be small (in comparison to the construction phase) and the management mechanism will depend on the availability of facilities that can treat the wastes generated. The management mechanism will be confirmed during production of the waste management plan. In conclusion, there will be no significant impact from waste produced from the proposed scheme. (1) Neath Port Talbot Borough Council Website, downloaded 29May