We investigated a number of alternative technologies in preparing our outline business case (see what we've done so far for details). We advertised the contract on a technology neutral basis to allow the market the best opportunity of proposing the best solution for Oxfordshire.

Energy from Waste (EfW) i.e. incineration with energy recovery has been chosen as the best technology to treat the residual waste in Oxfordshire by all the companies bidding for the contract.

Information about all the technologies is given below, including information about food waste treatment:

Energy from Waste incineration

'Energy from waste' encompasses a number of different processes where household rubbish that is not recycled is burned at a high temperature in a purpose built industrial plant.

These plants are designed to meet strict environmental controls and are heavily regulated to reduce pollution. In addition, these plants produce energy, generally electricity which can be fed into the national grid. This type of treatment is widely used in countries such as Germany, Denmark and Sweden and is becoming more widespread in the UK. More information about energy from waste.

Mechanical-biological treatment

Treating rubbish in a mechanical sorting and then biological composting way means that:

• rubbish is sorted for recycling using screens and magnets is done so (that's the mechanical side)
• then the organic rubbish is broken down by composting (that's the biological side).

The remaining rubbish, which cannot be recycled or composted, is then either burned or landfilled. The rubbish is more stable (doesn't break down so easily) and therefore requires reduced management. So although landfill would still be used, the environmental impact is less and the cost in extra taxes is less. This type of treatment is used in Germany, Italy and Austria.

Anaerobic digestion

Anaerobic digestion can be used to treat biological waste for example the organic out put from MBT or separately collected food waste. The organic rubbish is digested, in plants sometimes found on sewage treatment works, to produce gas for energy production. There is an anaerobic digestion facility in Oxfordshire at Cassington.

In-vessel composting

Garden waste is currently collected in many areas, and discounts and advice are offered on how to use composters and wormeries. In-vessel composting involves normal composting of green and food waste in an enclosed and controlled environment. This could be used if Oxfordshire's councils also collected kitchen organic rubbish. The materials collected would need to be composted in large indoor industrial plants.  There is an in-vessel composting facility in Oxfordshire at Ardley.

Continue to landfill

Although there is still space in landfill sites we will be fined if we landfill more than the Government has allowed. Therefore, we have to reduce the use of landfill.

Currently it costs about £70 for each tonne that we send to landfill £56 of which is landfill tax. Landfill tax is increasing by £8 per year and will continue to do so until 2014 when it will be £80 per tonne.  There may be further increases after this. If we landfill more than the Government allow, we will have to pay fines, or purchase permits from other councils.