Waste-management firms plan for increased activity

THE number of planning applications submitted, and consents granted, in 2009 to date for waste-management facilities has increased by 51% over last year, according to waste industry marketing consultants BDS Marketing Research Ltd.

BDS say this is mainly due to the further diversion of waste away from landfill resulting in the need for companies to invest in other treatment options.

The consultancy identified a total of 725 applications and consents for waste facilities in the first eight months of 2009, for both extensions to existing sites and new schemes, and says most sectors of the waste-management industry have seen more planning developments in the current year, compared with 2008.

The main growth has been seen in proposals for new anaerobic digestion (AD) and mechanical biological treatment (MBT) plants. BDS are aware of 27 proposals for AD facilities that have been submitted during 2009, by companies such as Bygen Power, Biffa and Fernbrook Bio, while nine MBT plants are planned by companies including Viridor, Shanks, Biffa and New Earth Solutions.

According to BDS, the energy from waste sector is also seeing growth, with the consultancy identifying more than twice as many planning proposals in 2009 compared with last year.

Just over a half of the total number of planning developments this year refer to waste-transfer stations, material recycling facilities (MRFs) and other recycling schemes, while nearly 80 proposals  are for composting schemes.

Whereas 10 years ago planning applications for landfill sites represented over half of the market, BDS say landfill developments now represent just 4% of all waste-related schemes.