The potential for the energy from waste (EfW) sector to decarbonise essential public infrastructure is outlined in a new report EfW with CCS: a key pillar for net zero in the UK. The report was commissioned by leading waste sector company Viridor and published by specialist sustainability consultancy ERM.

The report assesses the opportunities for CCS on EfW in the UK, including defining expected stages of deployment and how these fit within a wider UK net zero strategy.

Explaining the long-term role of EfW in reducing landfill and recovering energy and other materials, the writers suggest that introducing carbon capture and storage into the process decarbonises the treatment of non-recycled waste and also introduces carbon dioxide removal, a method of eliminating biogenic CO_2.

In addition to decarbonisation, deployment of CCS on EfW brings substantial economic benefits. According to the report, there exists the potential to create £19 billion of investment and over 14,000 green jobs by 2050 as well as unlocking nearly £40 bn in Gross Value Added (GVA).

It is anticipated this will help underpin further development of CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure and  inject new life into the UK’s historic industrial regions, aligning with the government’s strategy to drive regional growth.

Six EfW facilities near CO₂ storage hubs have already announced CCS initiatives, with two — Protos ERF and Viridor’s own Runcorn ERF — negotiating government funding for deployment by 2027 as part of the HyNet Cluster in Northwest England.

Click here to download the full report.