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Waste concerns
I did not, as Councillor Owen Thompson states, describe the proposed waste treatment plant at Millerhill as a "large scale incineration plant".
I accept that the proposed facility will not have incineration as its primary function, and I am also aware that the health risks associated with modern incineration processes are greatly reduced, although certainly not eliminated.
However, with the ability to burn up to 25% of its 200,000 tonne annual intake from the whole of Edinburgh and Midlothian, I'd say 1,000 tonnes a week is far from insignificant.
My main concern is that once the facility is up and running, Midlothian Council will consider its waste disposal problem solved and will do nothing to increase recycling rates.
The main incentive for Midlothian to recycle has never been green thinking, it's always been the increasing landfill tax, and all waste 'processed' by this facility will be exempt from landfill tax.
As regards plastics, Midlothian currently only recycles HDPE and PET, and so at Millerhill all other plastics will find their way to the incinerator.
I would like to assure Cllr Thompson that Green Party councillors in Edinburgh have been involved at all stages of the project. Cllr Steve Burgess spent two days in November visiting facilities in Cambridge and London as well as liaising closely with the project team.
Incidentally, Cllr Burgess was the only one who travelled by train rather than air, helping us to contribute, as Cllr Thompson suggests, towards Scotland's climate change targets.
Cllr Thompson does make one important point in that the Zero Waste project has only consulted with political parties represented on the two councils.
It is unfortunate that I had to attend the open evening in Danderhall last month to find out the details of what is involved.
Ian Baxter
Convenor, Midlothian Green Party
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Weather for Dalkeith
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
