British Cement Association: Compliance with new waste incineration directive

All four members of the British Cement Association – Buxton Lime Industries, Castle Cement, Cemex UK and Lafarge UK – fully comply with the Waste Incineration Directive (WID) which came into force on 28 December 2005. The Directive aims to minimise the negative impact on the environment through pollution by emissions to air, soil, surface and groundwater and the resulting risks to human health. The Directive applies to all plants that recover energy from waste or incinerate waste for disposal. Cement manufacturers in the UK have spent in excess of £12m in preparation for compliance with WID.

“The UK cement manufacturers have invested to ensure cement making in the future is more sustainable. Compliance with the Waste Incineration Directive provides assurance that emissions controls meet the necessary high standards for environmental performance. The economic and societal benefits of using wastes as fuels are well established and WID compliance allows the industry to develop this further,” Mike Gilbert, Chief Executive of the British Cement Association explained.

The cement industry plays an important role in minimising some of the UK’s waste disposal problems by providing an environmentally sound alternative to illegal dumping, landfill or incineration. “Last year, 230,000 tonnes of waste was used as waste-derived fuel, saving about 190,000 tonnes of coal. The use of waste-derived fuels has the added benefit that it reduces overall emissions from cement kilns,” Mr Gilbert concluded.