Waste Need

The Portland ERF will enable Dorset to take responsibility for its waste, in line with national requirements. Dorset currently is unable to do this and instead exports its post-recycling waste out of county for others to manage, contrary to national policy. The ERF provides a more responsible, self-sufficient opportunity for Dorset.

Dorset Council’s latest published waste figures confirm that 840,000 tonnes of household and commercial/industrial waste is generated within Dorset each year. This is forecast to grow by 20% to over 1,000,000 tonnes in 2033.

Although Dorset has excellent recycling rates, the county currently has no final treatment plant for its residual (post-recycling) waste. Currently all volumes are exported and processed out of county.

The Portland ERF has a nominal capacity of 183,000 tonnes per annum and maximum design capability of 202,000 tonnes per annum. Given the waste volumes there is clearly a need for this project, and others like it, in the county.

The ERF Ccomplies with the Dorset Waste Plan which states that the county should “ensure that there is sufficient capacity to deal with its waste arisings”.

The Portland ERF will enable Dorset to take responsibility for managing its own waste in a more sustainable way. The ERF should also reduce the cost of managing Dorset’s waste given the reduction in transport costs and the avoidance of landfill costs.

Read Powerfuel Portland's ERF Proposal Summary document here.