Leading engineering, sciences and project delivery firm Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) has acquired Enviros, a multi-disciplinary sustainability, environmental and health and safety consultancy in the UK.

Enviros has leading capabilities in climate change and renewables, compliance management, health and safety, sustainable development, and waste and resource management. The firm works across many industries in both the public and private sectors.

Since 1996 SKM has completed 57 mergers and acquisitions which have been central to the firm’s strategy to grow with its clients and deliver the world’s leading skills locally.

SKM Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Paul Dougas said: “The synergies are powerful and obvious. Our growth continues to be driven by the expansion of our clients’ needs and operations. We remain in a perfect storm of economic, social and environmental challenges. Helping our clients meet those challenges and making the most of the opportunities they represent is part of our DNA.

“The fact is that Europe leads the world in sustainability, climate change and environment, and Enviros is a leading firm in this space. This expands our strategic consulting capability which we already export globally through our virtual teaming approach and many centres of excellence.”

Peter Portlock, Enviros Managing Director said: “I am delighted that Enviros has joined the SKM Group. Business needs and cultures are perfectly aligned with this transaction. The Enviros mission to ‘help our clients do business today and have the world they want tomorrow’ fits perfectly with SKM’s business, culture and values.”

Recent feedback from SKM clients indicated that almost half think that climate change is a significant short-term risk, with this concern increasing to seven in ten when a 10 year time frame is considered. This acquisition is an immediate response to client need and expands SKM’s capabilities, with Enviros people bringing great skills in sustainable development, climate change and strategic consulting generally, and bolstering the firm’s European presence.

More about Sinclair Knight Merz: SKM is a leading engineering, sciences and project delivery firm, founded in 1964. Its purpose is to deliver a positive and enduring impact on the world. With 6,500 people in offices across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East, South America and Asia, it serves clients in the Buildings & Infrastructure, Power & Energy, Mining & Metals and Water & Environment sectors. SKM has been operating in the UK since 1997 and employs 350 people across eight offices in the UK and Middle East. Website: www.skmconsulting.com

More about Enviros: Enviros has more than 35 years experience in providing sustainability, environmental and health and safety solutions for clients. It employs 450 people in 13 offices in the UK and Ireland, with one office in mainland Europe (Prague). Website: www.enviros.com

With over 500 subscribers to this blog we reasoned that some of you my have experience of landfill fires which you may be able and willing to send us.

The research is non-profit making, and your information on landfill fires just might make a difference someday, especially if it put you in danger and the message you send us about it may help others not to make the same mistake!

He’s doing an MSc (Sustainable Waste Management) at the School of Civil Engineering and the Environment at Southampton University.

This is the enquiry he has made:

“My dissertation is on the subject of the “Detection and Treatment of Landfill Fires”

The aim of my paper is to review current ‘good practice’ for avoiding and extinguishing landfill fires by talking to experts around the world and gathering together the best information as a guide for European landfill operators, local authorities and Fire and Rescue Services in the UK. I want to provide a balanced view of ‘what works’ and ‘ what doesn’t work’ for MSW, C&D. Industrial and tyre wastes. The Fire College have said that they would be interested in parts of the dissertation if these can be translated into Guidance Notes.

This is my Wish List of research information:

* Documented / anecdotal reports of landfill fires:
* How were they started – deliberate (in the Third World), arson, spontaneous combustion, lightning, etc
* How were they treated – successes and failures.
* Fugitive emissions information – water and air.
* Geotechnical information – formation of ‘sink holes’, collapse, effect on containment system
* Any academic papers on the subject
* Introduction to anyone who has suffered a fire.

Any help will be most gratefully received and fully acknowledged and I will be very happy to let you have a copy of my dissertation, once it is accepted.”

Can you help? Use the comments form below or email any private communications to info@wastersblog.com

Waste management firm Viridor has expressed its disappointment at East Lothian council’s decision to reject planning permission for its Dunbar combined heat and power plant despite “strong recommendation” for approval from the council’s planning officers.

East Lothian’s planning committee yesterday (September 1) voted unanimously against the company’s proposal to build a 300,000 tonnes-a-year capacity energy-from-waste facility on land at its existing Oxwellmains landfill site, which lies 40km east of Edinburgh.

Another EfW Plant Rejected

This was despite the planning documents containing a recommendation from planning officers to approve the project subject to a number of conditions – including beginning operations within three years of approval being granted.

The spokesman said that, under new planning controls, the councillors would now have a “few weeks” to formulate a document outlining the reasons why they refused permission.

Commenting on the rejection, Steve Don, Viridor’s Scottish regional manager, said: “Despite a recognition of need, SEPA describing the proposal as the ‘best practical environmental option’ and a strong recommendation for approval from East Lothian council professional officers, Viridor is disappointed that councillors chose to refuse our application.

Proposal
Under the proposal, the Dunbar facility would have been used to process 150,000 tonnes-a-year of municipal residual waste collected from Edinburgh and East and Mid-Lothian councils, and 150,000 tonnes-a-year of commercial and industrial residual waste from the surrounding region.

Viridor had previously revised its planning application for the proposed Dunbar facility in May 2008 following a public consultation, which saw its initial 450,000 tonne-a-year capacity proposal scaled-down to “reflect local need” (see letsrecycle.com story).

Mr Don added: “With ambitious Scottish and European Zero Waste targets we need both increased recycling and smarter ways of managing residual waste. Whilst this decision will inevitably delay our journey to sustainability, we will be reviewing in due course.”

The spokesman for East Lothian said that he expected Viridor to appeal against the decision, which would “probably be subject to a public inquiry”. More here.

SARDINIA SYMPOSIUM NEWSLETTER –
11 ^th AUGUST 2009

The Twelfth edition of the Sardinia Symposium, SARDINIA 2009 will include two general sessions and six specialized and workshop sessions for a total of eight parallel tracks.

During the meeting several interesting case studies and major controversial subjects will be discussed, representing an excellent opportunity for exchange of knowledge and experiences.

The final programme is available in the web site www.sardiniasymposium.it

Visit the web site www.sardiniasymposium.it for full details on how best to enjoy the Sardinia Symposium and register. Don’t forget to contact the IWWG secretariat to register in the IWWG training courses.

The Waster recommends the Sardinia Symposium as the top global waste management event. Sadly, the Waster himself, who did have the abstract of his paper this year approved for presentation, will not be able to attend this time, due to lack of funds due to recessionary belt tightening measures, otherwise he would be there like a shot! (by the way! – If anyone has a spare ticket, I can use, because they are unable to attend at the last minute for any reason please do email me!)

Veolia Environnement logo

French utilities firm Veolia Environnement – which owns Veolia Environmental Services in the UK – has seen operating cash flows for its worldwide waste management divisions decline “significantly” due to the lower values for recovered materials and a fall in waste arisings.

In the UK, revenue was relatively flat at constant scope and exchange rates as the multi-annual municipal waste management contracts and the ramp-up of integrated waste contracts offset the decline in industrial waste and landfill volumes

Veolia Half Year Report 2009 The Paris-based company said in its half-year report for 2009 published yesterday (August 6) that its overall operating cash flows had fallen by 4.9% as compared with the figures for the first half of 2008. The decline was attributed to the firm feeling the effects of the economic downturn.

Among the worst hit by the decline in operating cash flow was Veolia’s worldwide waste management divisions, with the firm reporting a fall of 24.4% at a constant exchange rate across all its markets.

Veolia claimed that waste management divisions had been “characterised by a decline in the volumes of mainly industrial and hazardous waste processed” and also falls in the prices of recycled materials, most noticeably paper and metals. Veolia said this had a “significant impact” on the operating performance of the division.

Effect

Decline in the operating cash flow – which is the amount of cash the company generates from revenues from customers, excluding long-term investments – were most noticeable in Germany where it was down 18.3%, North America, 10.5%, and, Asia-Pacific, 9.8%. The UK arm was, however, relatively unaffected.

The report states: “In the UK, revenue was relatively flat at constant scope and exchange rates as the multi-annual municipal waste management contracts and the ramp-up of integrated waste contracts offset the decline in industrial waste and landfill volumes.”

The major declines on the waste side of the company were seen in Italy, where Veolia had to write-down assets in the waste management business in Italy and incurred a €35 million (£30 million) impairment charge on assets, which came as a result of a business plan review in connection with ongoing contractual negotiations.

Veolia has now set itself an objective to create €180 million (£154 million) in savings in the remainder of 2009, which will be coupled with an ‘adaptation’ plan for its waste management division that intends to create €100 million (£85.5 million) worth of savings.

Future

Commenting on the results, Veolia Environnement chairman and chief executive officer, Henri Proglio, said: “During the first half we have met the objectives we set for the company. Veolia Environnement is weathering the economic downturn well and continuing its expansion.

“The company has taken a number of vigorous measures to improve its cash generation, an area in which we have already recorded the first effects. At the same time, we are pursuing our strategic development, as illustrated by the negotiations to merge Veolia Transport with [international public transport firm] Transdev.

“Overall, the actions taken and the strong support of all Veolia’s employees enable us to confirm our objectives for the full year 2009 and look to the future with confidence,” he added.

In March, the company revealed that it would look to cut-costs and rein in spending during 2009 to offset the challenges presented by the global economic slowdown. Veolia had reported that the end-of-year results for 2007/08 showed a decline from €928 million (£827 million) in 2007 to €405 million (£361 million) last year (see letsrecycle.com story).

The contract, which is for five years with a potential extension of up to a further four years, will cover four local authorities: Bristol city council (as lead authority), Bath & North East Somerset council, North Somerset council and South Gloucestershire council. Five bids were invited for the work, but only three received.

The aim of the contract is to ensure that there is sufficient treatment capacity to divert waste from landfill to meet the Authorities’ annual LATS allowances over the period 2011/12 to 2015/16. The award forms phase two of a four phase joint waste management strategy approved by the Partnership in June.

Phase one of the Partnership’s work was source segregation contracts for organic wastes. There is still the possibility that the authorities might opt for incineration as a third stage although there is some uncertainty about this. In the recent local authority elections, the Liberal Democrats won Bristol and they campaigned on the back of not having an incinerator in the region.
MBT solution

Now, New Earth Solutions will be bringing a mechanical biological treatment solution to the West of England with construction of a plant in the Avonmouth area. The plant is to be 200,000 tonnes in size and will be New Earth’s largest development to date. This allows for 80,000 tonnes of merchant capacity.

Of the 120,000 tonnes fed in to the plant, more than 50% will be reduced through losses in mass. Non-ferrous, ferrous and high grade plastics will be recovered, totalling about 15% of the input and about 15% will be used as a compost like output for land. The balance will be used for a biomass refuse derived fuel which could be used in complementary plant near the MBT facility.

Value of the contract has not yet been disclosed but is thought to be about £50 million and the plant is due to be operational in April 2011.

Councillor Carl Francis-Pester, chair of the Partnership’s joint waste management committee, said: “New Earth Solutions will provide the councils with a cleaner, cheaper and more sustainable way to dispose of residual household waste.”

Chris Cox, managing director of New Earth Solutions, told letsrecycle.com: “We are delighted to have been chosen by the West of England Partnership.”
Related links

* New Earth Solutions
* West of England Partnership

Cost of the contract is based on the principle that any contract procured by the Partnership will be operated on a partnership basis with costs shared and allocated on an equitable basis. According to the Partnership, the New Earth Solutions project requires each authority to identify and then commit, on an annual basis, the delivery of a specified volume of waste to the treatment facility.

The Partnership said: “Each authority will have a minimum tonnage assigned to it for each of the initial five years of the contract, in order that the partnership can fulfil its overall minimum tonnage obligations to the contractor. Each authority will commit to pay its share of the contract costs, the pooled haulage costs and the project management and administrative costs in respect of its guaranteed minimum tonnage for the duration of the initial five years of the contract, irrespective of whether it delivers the agreed tonnage or a lower tonnage.

More at LetsRecycle..

Sponsored by the Teton Conservation District and BioCycle magazine, this three-day conference:

ORGANIC WASTE DIVERSION IN THE ROCKIES
will focus on

Economics, Operations and Marketing

The Conference is being held at the
Snow King Resort in Jackson, Wyoming
July 19-22, 2009

Here is your opportunity to network and learn from the experienced, knowledgeable faculty of speakers who will discuss how to successfully implement diversion programs when markets are distant; integrating new programs with existing infrastructure; and developing markets for woody biomass.

Speakers like:
Randy Williams, Teton Conservation District; Mark Barron, Mayor,Town of Jackson, Wyoming;
Kathy O’Hern, Gallatin County (Montana)/West Yellowstone Composting Facility; Chuck Wilson and Bob Yost, A1 Organics; Phil Hayes, Pinetop/Lake (Arizona) Sanitary District; Nora Goldstein, BioCycle; Jerry Wright, Rapid City, South Dakota Public Works Department; Kate Blevins, Verde Earth Works; Roy Petermean, Brigham Young University; Jonathan Schechter, One Percent for the Tetons; Dane Buk, Terra Firma Organics; Steve Michael, Jackson Whole Grocer; Laura Cuddy, Four Seasons Resort; Bruce Fullford, City Soil and Greenhouse;
Dave Atkins, Fuels for Schools, US Forest Service Northern and Intermountain Regions;
Al Christophersen, Director of Habitat Stewardship Services, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation … and many more.

Where else can you talk face to face with experts like these to help you find ways to turn organic materials into valuable resources?

Conference sessions will be held on Monday and Tuesday, July 20 and 21 at the Snow King Resort. Monday’s program opens at 8:30 am with sessions on MSW and biosolids composting and collection, processing and marketing of recyclable materials. On Monday Afternoon , from 1 – 5:00 pm, participants will tour Jackson Community Recycling Center and the Teton Country Transfer Station and Compost Facility, returning to the hotel for a Reception in the Exhibit area.

On Tuesday, July 21, sessions will cover composting, woody biomass, food waste composting, anaerobic digestion of animal waste, food waste recycling in resorts and parks, and much more.

An optional tour of Yellowstone National Park recycling and composting facilities will be held on Wednesday, July 22, from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm.

And on Sunday, July 19, there is an optional Workshop, “Foundations of Composting Training,” from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Instructors Robert Rynk of State University of New York Cobleskill, and Matt Cotton of Integrated Waste Management Consulting, will provide a foundation for novice compost operators, managers and regulators, and will refresh veteran composters on the underlying scientific principles, helping prepare for expanded job responsibilities, managerial duties and certification requirements.

REGISTER BY JUNE 5 TO GET EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT HERE.

Just when will our society realise that when everyone produces such large quantities of waste, the waste HAS to be processed and disposed of somehow, and somewhere, and that it is unreasonable to expect to send it out of the area in which the waste was created!

In our first case the Surrey County Council Energy from Waste (EfW) facility, which only received planning permission in October 2008, now looks set to face further delays after a successful challenge against its development by the local parish council. Surrey Waste Management’s proposal for the facility at the Clockhouse Brickworks site in Capel, Surrey, has suffered a myriad of set-backs and challenges since the original planning permission, granted as far back as 2002, was overturned.

An official judgment is expected to have been made by the end of February (after this issue has gone to press). The 100000 tonnes capacity facility was intended to be operational in 2012 as part of a PFI-funded deal between Sita subsidiary, Surrey Waste Management, and the county council.

Our second problem waste processing facility in Cornwall has been rejected and new plans must be drawn up, so the problem is really serious for the citizens of Cornwall. The following is an extract from the BBC News item highlighting the problem:

New county waste plans ‘needed’

An alternative strategy for dealing with Cornwall’s waste needs to be drawn up as soon as possible, a council scrutiny committee has ruled.

The call to Cornwall Council comes after plans by waste company Sita for an incinerator at St Dennis were refused two weeks ago.

Sita then withdrew proposals for a waste centre at Scorrier last week.

The council will decide whether to follow the recommendation for a waste plan after elections later in the year.

Cornwall Council’s Environment Policy and Development Scrutiny Committee recommended that a dedicated panel be set up to look at alternatives.

The committee’s chairman, independent councillor Mark Kaczmarek, said: “It is essential that Cornwall has a clear way forward to deal with its waste.

“Our remaining landfill is running out. Far too much time and money has been wasted over the last few years and no solution to Cornwall’s waste disposal has been created. Cornwall Council must make this issue a priority.”

The full council will decide whether to follow the recommendation for a waste plan after it holds its elections in June.

County councillors voted 20-to-one on 26 March against Sita’s bid to build a waste-to-energy incinerator in the county. Planning officials had advised the council to grant the application.

The £117m waste-to-energy plant would have handled all of Cornwall’s waste – an estimated 240,000 tonnes of waste a year which would, in turn, have generated power for thousands of homes across the county. More here.

Manchester waste PFI deal to be done by end of month

Europe’s largest waste management contract, the £3.3bn Greater Manchester waste PFI, will be finalised by the end of the month, an insider on the project has claimed.

The source said the banks involved in the 25 year contract were close to agreeing the struc­ture of the finance.

A joint venture between infrastructure investor John Laing and waste contractor Viridor was originally named as preferred bidder by client Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) in January 2007.

But the complexity of the deal and increasingly difficult lending conditions caused by the credit crisis have meant that every deadline for the project has so far been issed. Last December GMWDA predicted that the deal would be wrapped up by Christmas 2008 (NCE 4 December 2008).

I think that many are waiting anxiously to see these signings go through. The industry needs this vital re-assurance that the banks are still able to put together a deal of this size, are lending, and that the credit crunch has done its worst… (The Waster)

26-01-2009

Gasification specialists Energos have been appointed to provide the technology for a multi-million pound waste treatment facility being built in Derby.

The company, which is part of Manchester-based renewable energy firm ENER-G, will help to develop a 140,000 tonne-a-year gasification facility on Sinfin Lane in Derby on behalf of a joint venture between United Utilities and services firm Interserve.

An artist’s impression of the Sinfin Lane facility that will use Energos’ gasification technology

United Utilities and Interserve were confirmed on January 13 as preferred bidder for a 27-year deal, beginning in 2010, to design, build and operate a facility to process both Derbyshire county council and Derby city council’s residual household waste.

Energos’ appointment means the plant will use their patented version of the advanced thermal treatment process to convert the waste into a gas, which will then be used to produce 8MW of electricity for export to the National Grid.

Energos’ process has already been installed in a plant on the Isle of Wight which opened last year (see letsrecycle.com story) and, in July 2008, the company submitted a planning proposal to build an 80,000 tonne-a-year capacity facility at Knowsley, on Merseyside (see letsrecycle.com story).

The Derby project’s joint venture project director, Blair Marriott, said: “We are pleased to be working with Energos which offers a world class, low emission technology and a proven reputation for excellence.

“Our proposed state-of-the-art waste management facility points the way forward for UK municipal solid waste management and is a viable and environmentally friendly alternative to landfill and incineration,” he added.

Energos’ managing director, Nick Dawber, described the facility as “a community-sized solution to responsibly dealing with local waste.”

United Utilities and Interserve were announced as preferred bidder for the Derbyshire contract in December 2008, winning a lengthy head-to-head contest with Spanish-owned Waste Recycling Group (WRG) (see letsrecycle.com story).

The deal represents United Utilities first major contract success in the waste sector, though it is one of four shortlisted bidders for the Cheshire PFI contract (see letsrecycle.com story), and is also part of the consortium the ‘Resource from Waste Alliance’ which is the running for the Merseyside PFI waste deal (see letsrecycle.com story).