Hope all you readers of this little blog had a good 2017, if not, well I hope you learned more to give you a better start in the new year. I certainly expanded my knowledge greatly this year the articles and new connections on LinkedIn I found really interesting and engaging in discussion can only help us all.
SO what has 2017 looked like... Brexit has been a big topic of discussion, I know a few large volume RDF exporters who have serious worries and the fluctuation in the pound saw their margins take a hammering. Without getting political in 2018 I would just like to see clear, concise information and deadlines for things to remove the unknown. The show must go on but speculation does nothing for anyone.
We saw a letsrecycle article on SubCoal a new plant getting commissioned at the Impetus/Air products site in Middlesbrough taking plastics and other wastes and pelleting into a fuel. I look forward to seeing this go live and what wastes they will allow to make sure no hazardous is being burnt off in the fuels.
I attended the RWM in September.... less said about that the better but was good to chat to connections made on LinkedIn in person over a coffee in the Viridor Section.
I attended the Contamination Expo at the London Excel. This was a very well put together informative show. I attended a number of guest lectures which I could plan before I went to make sure they were relevant to what I wanted to learn more about. I found out about great tax incentives for remediation and innovation. Hazardous Soil encapsulation, Testing technology improvements but also had much better happier stands to network with.
Biomass & Wood. I have without confirming figures I brokered a good few thousand tonne of various grades of wood this year. It seems to be a very strange time in the low end Grade C wood market towards the end of 2017. Especially in the North East, I have had gate fees from £35pt accepted and paid, then some big players in the game ringing me saying they will allow free tips due to not having enough to keep boilers going. The issue I see is that a number of large plants have received funding and have went about being built and commissioned without the industry talking to each other to see if the feed-stock is available and that an over capacity in processing is not likely in a geographic area. The Environment Agency talking about making all Civic Amenity site wood skips hazardous would and is causing concern and will remove a great deal from the biomass if it gets past. On another note I have been asked a few times about Ash disposal from Biomass, I know have a good outlet if anyone needs one just send me a message or contact Technical Waste Services.
Scrap, Although I have not dealt with Scrap metals for a few years, speaking to old contacts the weak pound is helping exports when rebates are involved so people cant have it all ways.
Landfill situation, I did a small blog on Landfill void capacity which shows some alarming things as no planning or permitting is happening and disposal trends are continuing. I have a lot of data and figures nationwide going back to 2010 if anyone wants more details on that just ask.
Anaerobic Digestion, AD, I am seeing the same thing as I mentioned with wood happening in the AD market. To many plants not enough feed stock. I agree with the masses until separate food collections start I believe a few of the smaller AD guys will have to mothball in 2018. I have done a bit of research into Energy Cropping and the figures are great but the initial land investment is the issue. I have seen a few North East plants just continuously cut gate fees to get the material to keep going. I don't know enough about it but a race to the bottom wont be good unless you have the deepest pockets to build back up after the competition calls it.
Best Practice or Cost? I would like to think we all choose the best practice when it comes to recycling and disposal of our wastes. But I think in all honestly when it comes down to it cost is the main motivation. I have seen more and more over the years large tenders be 100% cost considered rather than knowledge or recovery. I completely understand that a business bottom line is all important when jobs and survival is the motivation and I have no issue with that in today's economy. But in 2018 I would hope to see more and more council tenders and heavy Industry look at putting a bit more emphasis on the environment rather than the cost.
Also one big observation of 2017, when did every man and his dog become experts in Bitcoin? yes I missed the boat yes I still think I will come crashing down but hey if I am wrong I am wrong.
Well least to say I wish you all health and happiness for 2018 and that the last few days off have not turned you all from eating pigs in blankets into pigs in blankets like me...