21/04/2011

The Waste Recycling Group (WRG) has begun planting biofuel crops on landfill sites in a bid to see renewable energy being generated from former landfill sites.

Contractors have begun planting a combination of Miscanthus Grass and Short Rotation Coppice at 14 landfill sites across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Humberside and Yorkshire as part of the drive by Waste Recycling Group to expand the generation of renewable energy and maximise the use of its existing facilities and expertise.

The project, which has already planted biofuel crops over 100 hectares, has attracted grant funding from Natural England and next year will see another 100 hectares planted at both operational and closed sites across the UK. Once harvested, the WRG plans to sell the crops to Drax Power Station in Selby, Yorkshire as a biomas fuel.

As well as proving an ideal biofuel, miscanthus (Elephant Grass) provides excellent habitat for various forms of wildlife. Harvesting will begin after the third year of planting and is expected to generate between 8-12 tonnes per hectare.

The group has also harvested five hectares of Short Rotation Coppice at the closed Burntstump Landfill near Arnold, Nottinghamshire, which has gone to fuel the Drax Power Station. WRG’s Senior Restoration and Energy Crop Manager, Mark Pailing, commented, “This is a very exciting development for the company and builds on our track record of sustainable reclamation, recycling and regeneration.”