I WRITE in response to the Community R4C article last week.

I find Javier Peiro comment’s rather interesting.

“Javier Peiro, project director for UBB, added: “Mr Jarman has made a number of similar announcements over the last few years and we have yet to see anything material in relation to his proposals.

“We are not aware of any examples of his proposed technology being used commercially or being supported by established waste management companies.”

Can I refer Mr Peiro to the UBB Essex website, an MBT plant run by UBB and currently undergoing testing.

I would refer him especially to the FAQ section (ubbessex.co.uk/faqs/#faq8).

Why was MBT chosen?

The procurement process allowed bidders to propose alternative solutions; in the final analysis Urbaser Balfour Beatty’s MBT based proposal was seen as offering the most appropriate solution.

Importantly the solution is aligned with the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy which proposes (in combination with a high level of recycling and composting) the establishment of MBT to enable further recycling and reduce the quantity of biodegradable waste sent to landfill.

What are the benefits of MBT?

MBT plays an important role in delivering sustainable recovery of value from waste.

MBT provides robust and safe treatment of waste that cannot be recycled.

MBT allows materials such as metals, plastics and aggregates (such as gravel replacement) to be recycled, which would otherwise be lost in landfill.

MBT reduces our reliance on landfill and reduces landfill tax costs.

MBT operates safely and is strictly regulated to protect the environment and human health.

How was the size of the facility calculated?

The size of the facility has been determined so as to be able to treat all the residual household waste generated within Essex and Southend.

There is a seasonal fluctuation in the amount of waste generated and the facility is designed to accommodate this.

In addition there is some remaining capacity for business waste similar in nature to household waste, for example from offices and caterers.

The size of the facility provides a cost-effective solution and takes into account many important factors: National and local recycling and composting targets – the facility will help the county boost recycling performance.

Population increase and housing growth.

New recycling schemes in the pipeline.

The proposed plans for treating organic waste.”

Now obviously the plant is undergoing testing so it is not up and running per se but surely Mr Peiro must be aware of the plant or are his board or management been hiding this operation from him?

The Javelin Park incineration project is going against current EU waste management policy where waste is deemed be part of a virtuous circle not a linear process.

It is a resource to be managed and recovered not burnt creating a toxic residue.

I would also argue that contrary to FAQs on the GCC recycle website the emissions from the Javelin Park stack contain more than just steam (recycleforgloucestershire.com/article/113125/Frequently-Asked-Questions#faq114757).

Indeed a recent FOI that I obtained from GCC showed a vast number of substances being passed into the atmosphere.

The operators of the incinerator would argue that the levels are regarded as insignificant but these levels are adding to levels already in the atmosphere so we should not treat Javelin Park in isolation but add it to the air pollution mix.

Perhaps a challenge under clean air regulations should be mounted as we all have a right to clean air?

Maybe a challenge under human rights legislation too could be mounted?

Come on Gloucestershire County Council admit it, you have backed the wrong dinosaur.

You are committing Gloucestershire council taxpayers to 25 years of inefficient treatment of the county’s waste.

You are also endangering future health and well being.

The costs are horrendous and you know it.

You have made a mistake but you are not brave enough to admit it, bite the bullet and ditch the incinerator.

In times of “austerity” and reductions in services to the community you are failing us all.

David Joyce

A very concerned citizen Bridgend