a rigorous practical trial to assess the efficacy of UK EfW facilities to effectively destroy persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
WRc Waste & Resources (W&R) was commissioned by Defra to demonstrate the high destruction efficiency of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) at energy from waste (EfW) facilities. The W&R team's work demonstrated that EfW is an effective method of POPs disposal.
a rigorous practical trial to assess the efficacy of UK EfW facilities to effectively destroy persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
the full range of solid combustion residues and flue gas stack emissions, targeting primary POPs compounds and their potential post-combustion chemical breakdown products
a comprehensive assessment report to the client demonstrating a high POPs destruction efficiency at a cross-section of UK EfWs
Assessing the destruction efficiency of persistent organic pollutants in UK energy from waste facilities.
The UK is a signatory to the United Nations Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which controls and restricts the use of POPs and requires destruction of waste containing POPs above specified thresholds. Multiple studies commissioned by UK industry and regulators have identified POPs in a variety of waste materials. Based on the UN’s Basel Convention technical guidelines, Defra considered that energy from waste facilities are an appropriate disposal route for waste containing brominated flame retardants - a widely used group of POPs - with no evidence to the contrary. However, a Defra Evidence Statement published in 2020 highlighted the need for more data on the emissions of POPs from thermal destruction processes. This research project was developed to establish the destruction efficiency of POPs in the UK’s EfW facilities, and answer Defra’s call for more data.
With the support of UK EfWs, WRc proposed a scope of work to achieve a range of project objectives, which were discussed and agreed with the Environment Agency. A key aspect of planning the trial was collecting solid combustion residues and monitoring flue gas stack emissions during periods of enhanced POPs loading to the boilers. The samples were analysed for primary POPs and their potential post-combustion chemical products, for example chlorinated and brominated dioxins and furans. The destruction efficiency of significant marker brominated flame retardants was calculated based on the field trials.
High destruction efficiency values were demonstrated by the project (99.927%–100.000% depending on the POP), indicating that under normal operating conditions UK EfW facilities are effective in destroying POPs. All residues analysed complied with the definition for low POP content under the Stockholm Convention as enacted by UK legislation. The findings also supported the use of EfW facilities as a best available technique (BAT) for the destruction of POPs. This demonstrates the capability of UK EfW facilities to achieve high destruction efficiencies, aligning with international best practice.
WRc acknowledges the assistance of SLR Consulting.