The best projects normally take several steps to carry out. Most rewarding tasks take some time, demand a good number of basic steps plus consistent effort. To have success it’s essential to prepare yourself well, set clear objectives, work effectively and persevere. Whichever task or project you choose, this tends to be true, but for new waste technology projects this is particularly true, due to the difficult problems faced.

But it’s not that difficult really, if you break it into clear individual steps as we have done in the article which follows.

This is the one and only way to achieve success at your goal to promote new waste technologies as an alternative to incineration, and suggest it can be simplified to merely 5 simple steps:

Step 1. For a UK alternative to incineration to be viable it will need to be good at the diversion of waste from landfill. Most importantly the diversion of organic/biological waste from landfill, to meet European Union targets. You will need to consider what are these technologies and how will they help to meet LATS. This will be a task of critical importance because the introduction of the Landfill Allowances Trading Scheme (LATS) in April 2005 has left all local authorities with key decisions to make in terms of how they are going to divert enough biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) from landfill to meet their LATS targets. Most UK local authorities have been using incineration after recycling and diverting all but their residual waste, but alternatively they could introduce new waste technologies into their waste management process stream.

However, as we have shown this type of solution brings with it a number of questions. Not least, as we have already indicated we must ask what are these technologies and how will they help to meet LATS?

Make sure you do not overlook or by-pass this, because answering these questions is essential to select a viable new waste technology, and the stakes are high as unless the local authority meets its LATS target, it will be fined by the UK government. And, if nationally we do not meet the targets overall, the EU will fine us as a nation.

Step 2. Any adoption of a new waste technology must be able to satisfactorily answer the question; What are the residuals and are there markets for these? This important step demands all your attention. Here is the way to do it right: Make sure that you select a new waste technology from which the residuals can be sold, if not at a profit, at a price which helps pay for the extra cost of the waste technology which will process the waste. There are a few reasons this is often important. The principal one is no new waste technology will be acceptable to the public and comply with LATS, or as a financial proposition, unless it produces residual materials which have a value and don’t in the end have to be landfilled for the want of an alternative disposal route.

Step 3. Decide who will invest in the technologies. The reason for this will be to that a private partner will be needed to implement any new waste technology, as the Council won’t have the skills or money to go it alone. Additionally you will want to make sure that the partner is a solid company which holds the necessary skills and will pass the government’s tests for the award of public investment, once the project gets started.

Step 4. Consider, will the technologies receive planning permission, how long will this take and what are the issues likely to hinder this process. Which means, talking to the local authority planning experts and gauging public opinion in the area.

Step 5. How will the public perceive these technologies? Are they likely to create huge public debate? Also, will the preceding issues in combination with the last question all add up to a large list of unknowns which make embarking upon the promotion of new waste technologies too risky for the local authority to carry out. After all, it is not their role to speculate in new technologies that are largely unproven and may not work, potentially developing prototype plants and causing wastage of ratepayers money. Additionally, how do you get all those who are required to play a key role in the decision-making process suitably informed to perform their roles effectively?

Finally, if you have followed the above suggestions closely, you can expect to triumph over the down sides and achieve your goals, with all the current advantages and also the fruits that implies! Accept the rewards and respect. You managed to do it therefore you deserve the credit! It was you that set out to reach your ultimate goal and also you who succeeded!