Sustainable Blewbury’s Visit to Ardley Waste-to-energy Plant

Who has not wondered what happens to our household rubbish? Some members of Sustainable Blewbury went on a fascinating visit to the Energy Recovery Facility at Ardley, near Bicester, on 7 November, to investigate. We were taken round by the learning and visitor centre manager, Jessica Baker-Pike, who was very well-informed and interesting.

The plant opened in 2014. It is run by Viridor, a company which is a leader in the field of recycling. Viridor operates 12 different sites. Almost all the Oxfordshire non-recyclables go to Ardley, which also takes waste from some other boroughs, including Windsor and Maidenhead. (Food waste goes to an anaerobic digester such as the one at Benson, and that too produces energy.)

About 100 lorries a day arrive at the Ardley facility, full of rubbish. They are weighed on arrival, each one carrying up to 25 tonnes. They tip the rubbish into a huge bunker, and giant grabs on cranes move the waste towards the incinerator. In the control room overlooking the bunker the operatives manage what is happening from computer screens.

The furnace heats the rubbish to at least 850 degrees Centigrade for two seconds. Burning reduces the rubbish by 80%. Water flows around the furnace and is turned into super-heated steam. This drives the fan of a turbine, which produces electricity for at least 60,000 homes.

Whatever remains after the burning is sorted. Off-site, metals are sorted into ferrous and non-ferrous. Ash and other waste may be used in building or road construction. Environmental legislation is closely followed. The facility constantly monitors gas emissions and uses activated lime, urea and other materials to clean the gases before release.

Safety is a high priority for Viridor and it begins on entry to the site. The speed limit is 10mph and cars must be reverse parked, for increased safety. When we toured the plant we had to wear high-visibility boiler suits, safety spectacles, helmets with ear protectors and steel-toed boots. We were reminded that batteries can explode if they are put in the general waste, because of the heat and pressure. We had a most enjoyable and informative visit. The dinosaur in the photo is a megalosaurus, or ‘megawattosaurus’. It was created entirely from rubbish during the pandemic by two artists who normally work on film sets. The remains of dinosaur footprints were found on the Ardley site.

More information about the Energy Recovery Facility: www.viridor.co.uk/erf. You can see the building on the west side of the M40 as you drive north. They provide visits for individuals, so if you were unable to come this time, visit their webpage to make a booking.

Flavia Leslie