PROGRESS is being made on finding alternatives to landfill as Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council work together to identify cost effective and sustainable ways to dispose of the county’s rubbish.

The two councils are investigating developing a waste for energy plant and a report will go to the Wiltshire’s cabinet on Tuesday, when councillors will consider a recommendation to move the project forward by going out to tender.

Toby Sturgis, Wiltshire Council’s portfolio holder for waste, said: “Recovering energy from waste which cannot sensibly be recycled is an essential component of a well balanced energy policy and an integrated waste management service. Electricity generated from waste reduces the need to generate power from conventional sources and combined heat and power facilities also reduce the use of fossil fuels for heating as well as methane emissions from landfill, a significant greenhouse gas.”

Many methods of treating residual waste exist or are being developed. These all have the objective of recovering some value from the waste, reducing its biodegradability and stabilising and minimising the amount of residue that may still need to be land filled.

The amount the two councils are recycling is continuing to increase but a treatment facility will be required to deal with waste that cannot be recycled. The aim is to finalise contracts in mid 2012.