Interview with John Foden, Canadian Energy-From-Waste Coalition (CEFWC)

The Canadian Energy-From-Waste Coalition (CEFWC) is participating in the conference in order to learn about progress in this region of Europe and to share our own lessons-learned with the other attendees. EFW offers a sustainable and proven solution to challenges we all share, and none of us will solve these problems single-handedly. Communication among proponents and advocates is critical, and this conference allows us all to expand our experience and build our awareness of sustainable environmental policies and technologies.

Can you tell us more about the activity of your organisation?

The Canadian Energy-From-Waste Coalition (CEFWC) represents industry, associations, and other stakeholders committed to sustainable environmental policies.  We stand for the promotion, adoption, and implementation of energy-from-waste (EFW) technology for the management of residual materials within the context of an integrated solid waste management system.  Recognizing that EFW solutions are compatible with proactive recycling and other diversion efforts, the coalition seeks to promote the merits of the thermal treatment of waste to recover energy and garner support for waste derived fuels.

Which of your best practices could be transferred in SE Europe?

Jurisdictions across Canada are taking a long, hard look at modern EFW solutions ranging from state-of-the-art mass burn combustion facilities to smaller feedstock-specific conversion technologies.  Durham Region to the west of Toronto, Canada’s largest city, recently approved a mass burn plant to manage its residual waste, while maintaining a strong commitment to recycling.  The city of Edmonton, Alberta is currently in the process of constructing a brand new gasification plant.  And Metro Vancouver on the Pacific coast features energy-from-waste as a key pillar in its long-term waste and resource plan, which is currently under review by the British Columbia Minister of the Environment.  These new facilities represent a progressive outlook by municipalities, legislators, regulators, and policy makers, each of whom is looking for the most sustainable ways to manage garbage as a resource while recovering/generating energy in the form of heat, steam, or electricity.

Have you ever worked at this region of Europe?

The Canadian Energy-From-Waste Coalition (CEFWC) advocates for progressive EFW policies across Canada and our organization is prepared to lend its voice to support organizations with similar objectives in other jurisdictions.  Wherever possible we work with affiliated groups, such as the Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants (CEWEP), the Energy Recovery Council (ERC), and the Waste-to-Energy Research and Technology Council (WTERT).  So while the CEFWC does not usually work in this region of Europe, we are always prepared to share our knowledge with EFW champions wherever they may be.

Why do you participate at the Conference?

The Canadian Energy-From-Waste Coalition (CEFWC) is participating in the conference in order to learn about progress in this region of Europe and to share our own lessons-learned with the other attendees.  EFW offers a sustainable and proven solution to challenges we all share, and none of us will solve these problems single-handedly.  Communication among proponents and advocates is critical, and this conference allows us all to expand our experience and build our awareness of sustainable environmental policies and technologies.

Can you make a comparison about the waste management in the Balkan region and in Canada. What must be the first steps to be made?

Wherever we live and work, we generate waste, and growing economies often produce more waste than existing infrastructure can manage sustainably.  So whether in Canada or the Balkans, we must make every effort to promote Reduction-Reuse-Recycling.  But within the context of an integrated waste management hierarchy, EFW offers a robust and sustainable system to treat our municipal solid waste by converting it into a resource.  That much we share.  And from this common ground it is important that we educate policy makers and build a network of champions to help promote EFW.  Conferences like this are an excellent starting point, because they bring together so many different perspectives.  Ensuring that the participants leave with an understanding of the technology and a commitment to share that knowledge is a winning proposition for everyone and a genuine step forward into a sustainable world.

 

 

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Bulgarian Association of Recycling		Bulgarian Photovoltaic Association		Bulgarian- Swiss Chamber of Commerce
German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce		European Council for Energy Efficient Economy - ECEEE		International Solid Waste Association - ISWA