Fwd: [GAIA] (Publication) New report proves cost-competitiveness of Material Recovery and Biological Treatment-based approaches for mixed waste treatment

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-----Original Message-----
From: Janek Vahk <ja...@zerowasteeurope.eu>

Tomorrow we will launch a major report "Nothing left behind: modelling Material Recovery and Biological Treatment’s contribution to resource recovery and fighting climate change, " demonstrating the cost benefits of doing MRBT. See the embargoed press release below. The report will be available on our website.

We are organising a talk with the report's author on April 18 (CEST) from 12-13 if you are interested in learning more or have questions. Please register here so that we know who is joining.

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Let me know if you have any questions, and please share.

All the best,

Janek

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Zero Waste Europe <ne...@zerowasteeurope.eu>
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2023 at 15:14
Subject: EMBARGOED: New report proves cost-competitiveness of Material Recovery and Biological Treatment-based approaches for mixed waste treatment
To: <ja...@zerowasteeurope.eu>

MRBT costs are lower than costs for incineration, with it becoming even more compelling once incinerators are included in the EU ETS.

View this email in your browser New report proves cost-competitiveness of Material Recovery and Biological Treatment-based approaches for mixed waste treatment  EMBARGOED UNTIL 13 APRIL 2023 00:01 CEST - PLEASE CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY FULL REPORT TO BE UPLOADED ON THE PROVIDED LINK ON 13 APRIL 2023 A new report by Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) demonstrates how Material Recovery and Biological Treatment (MRBT) systems are a cost-effective approach to treat (leftover) mixed waste. The study “Nothing left behind: modelling Material Recovery and Biological Treatment’s contribution to resource recovery and fighting climate change”, done by Equanimator, focuses on this technology which combines the use of advanced sorting systems applied to mixed waste (to extract additional material for recycling) with biological treatment of the remaining residual waste aimed at stabilising the waste before its being landfilled.  This study modelled MRBT systems at two scales: 100 thousand tonnes (100kt), and 200 thousand tonnes (200kt). These were further modelled in two scenarios: lower cost EU Member States and higher cost EU Member States. The study found that MRBT costs are lower than costs for incineration, with MRBT becoming even more compelling once incinerators are included in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS): The costs for the MRBT facilities are in the range of €97-€123 per tonne for the 100kt system, and €76-€96 per tonne for the 200kt system (1). MRBT systems require relatively little capital commitment. These vary between €296-€377 per tonne/year for the 100kt facility and 242-304 for the 200kt facility. These are well under half what would be expected for an incineration facility (2).  The study also demonstrated the benefits of MRBT for extracting plastics for recycling from mixed waste: When comparing the costs of extracting plastics from mixed waste with those paid under extended producer responsibility schemes (EPR), the former is very competitive at the 100kt scale (226- 550 €/tonne) and becomes one of the lower-cost means of accessing plastics for recycling at 200kt scale (32-210€/tonne). Janek Vähk, ZWE’s Climate, Energy, and Air Pollution Programme Coordinator, states: “We have a climate crisis and EU funds should be used to implement MRBT across Europe. These systems must be considered by all EU countries to comply with their circular economy commitments. This report shows that MRBT works, it’s cost-effective, and it brings us closer to our zero emissions target - it’s effectively a proof of concept, so let’s make sure we use it everywhere to address the climate emergency.” Dominic Hogg, Director at Equanimator, adds: “The relevance of MRBT systems at a global level is potentially enormous both in terms of energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) saving associated with materials recycling but also because of its potential of zero methane landfilling. We really should be doing it everywhere”.  The key results of the report were previewed at the “Mixed Waste Sorting: The next frontier for the circular economy” conference on 21 March 2023. ENDS   Notes to the editor: As specified in a previous ZWE report, MRBT brings about relevant benefits in terms of minimisation of GHGs from the management of leftover mixed waste, it secures compliance with the obligation to pretreat waste before landfilling, and at the same time avoids any lock-in and keeps operational flexibility in the system, to keep working on reduction, reuse and recycling. MRBT has the potential to manage mixed waste in a responsible manner and at an acceptable cost. It offers a flexible system to extract additional materials for recycling while eliminating methane from landfills and avoiding CO2 from incineration of fossil-based materials, such as plastics and synthetic textiles. Press Contacts: Janek Vähk, Climate, Energy, and Air Pollution Programme Coordinator at Zero Waste Europe: ja...@zerowasteeurope.eu  Ana Oliveira, Head of Communications at Zero Waste Europe: ne...@zerowasteeurope.eu Collateral materials:  (1) The cost of MRBT systems (2) The capital cost of MRBT     About Zero Waste Europe Zero Waste Europe is the European network of communities, local leaders, experts, and change agents working towards the elimination of waste in our society. We advocate for sustainable systems and the redesign of our relationship with resources, to accelerate a just transition towards zero waste for the benefit of people and the planet. www.zerowasteeurope.eu  Zero Waste Europe gratefully acknowledges financial assistance from the European Union: Commission Directorate General (DG) Environment. The sole responsibility for the content of this press release lies with Zero Waste Europe. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the funder mentioned above. The funder cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. Copyright © 2023 Zero Waste Europe, All rights reserved. You are receiving this communication because of the interest you've shown for Zero Waste. Visit our website for more information about our funders. Our mailing address is: Zero Waste Europe WeWork, c/o Zero Waste Europe, Rue du Commerce 31, 1000, Brussels, Belgium Brussels 1000 Belgium Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list  update subscription preferences

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	Janek Vahk
	Climate, Energy, and Air pollution Programme Coordinator
	Office phone: +32 (0) 2736 2091
	Mobile phone: +32 (0) 493 553 779
	Skype: janz105
	EU Transparency Register number: 47806848200-34
	zerowasteeurope.eu

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