‘Third Way’ Waste Bio-Processing system set for National launch after successful 5 year trial.
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Parc System Dramatically Cuts Carbon Footprint Whilst Diverting More Than 70% Of Unsorted Waste From Landfill.

An innovative bioprocessing system which offers local authorities an environmentally positive ‘third way’ for disposing of unsorted domestic waste is set to have its national launch at a major global waste strategy event today (Monday 11 December).

Developed by Premier Waste Management and CiViC Environmental Systems, Parc is an integrated system which uses a proven rapid bio-processing technology to process Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), recycling metals, glass, plastic and aerobically-digesting biodegradable materials into a compost which is used to manufacture a high quality topsoil.

A five-year operational trial of the system in Durham and research conducted in association with Durham University has shown the Parc system releases substantially less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than either of the two current methods of waste disposal - incineration (or Energy from Waste) and landfill – over both the short and long-term.

It has also recycled, composted and diverted from landfill more than 70 per cent of the 37,000 tonnes of MSW currently being processed annually by the two Durham Parc towers, figures which would go a significant distance towards meeting local authorities’ increasingly demanding recycling and waste management performance targets.

Dr Les Grant, Chief Executive of Premier Waste Management, will officially launch the Parc system at the 2006 Global Waste Strategy Summit in London today, and believes that it offers local authorities an effective ‘third way’ to address their waste management responsibilities.

He says: “The Stern Report has made the imperative behind reducing the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) the country produces starkly clear. Local authorities now have a key contribution to make in ensuring they minimise the carbon footprint of their waste management activities, and thus meet their waste and recycling performance targets and responsibilities with maximum efficiency.

“Landfill operations generate methane, a highly potent GHG, from biodegradable waste, which is why waste disposal authorities have steep targets to divert this class of waste away from landfill disposal - and incineration actually accelerates the rate of GHG emissions to atmosphere, which doesn’t make it a particularly attractive alternative.

“The Parc system allows the capture of around 40% of the carbon in waste, thus massively reducing emissions and diverting over 70% of the waste from landfill, whilst the remaining residue that does go to landfill is largely inert, potentially attracting a lower rate of Landfill Tax.”

The topsoil product that is manufactured from the composted waste output of the Parc process has the same specification and characteristics of an ordinary soil and is used in brownfield remediation projects, such as colliery or landfill restoration, on which short-rotation coppicing plantations or forestry can be grown.

And given a potential change in current long-established waste output classifications, the compost could also have significant agricultural, domestic and even coastline restoration uses.

Premier Waste Management is currently constructing an additional larger Parc bio-processing tower that will be operational in Durham from spring 2007, undertaking research and development activities for DEFRA as part of the New Technologies Demonstrator Programme.

This additional tower will take the Thornley Parc processing capacity up to 62,000 tonnes of MSW every year. Premier also already has planning permission for one further north east England location, with another application in process.

Dr Les Grant continues: “Parc is a highly flexible system capable of processing both source segregated and un-segregated waste streams. We have guaranteed markets for its various outputs, markets which we believe will expand as the uses of compost derived products become clearer and the regulatory environment catches up with these new technologies.

“Whilst Energy from Waste facilities are currently exempt from the UK GHG Emissions Trading Scheme regulation, there is every possibility that this will change and that their GHG performance will result in significant additional cost burdens associated with the use of such treatment.

“The Parc system’s proven, reliable GHG-efficient carbon sequestration capacity offers a ‘technology bridge’ for the next ten to twelve years, by which time this market will have matured and the GHG impact of various technologies and techniques will have become clear.

“Our experience in efficiently obtaining planning permissions has confirmed the planner and community friendly nature of the Parc system, allowing local authorities to progress schemes in their respective areas as speedily as the situation demands.

“We truly believe that the national launch of this process marks a real milestone in the development of environmentally-efficient waste management processes, and that local authorities around the UK stand to benefit greatly from investigating its implementation.”

For further information on the Parc system, please contact Premier Waste Management on 0191 3844000