Basingstoke MP Maria Miller, visited the Chineham Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) on 28 January.  All of the rubbish from Basingstoke and Deane which cannot be traditionally recycled is taken to the ERF, which has been operational since 2003. It has the capacity to process 90,000 tonnes of waste per year and  recovers heat energy from that waste to produce steam, which in turn is used to generate some 8Mw for the National grid, enough to provide power to some 10,000 local homes.

After discussions at ERF, Maria said: “No-one wants more landfill sites, and the Chineham ERF provides Basingstoke with an alternative means of disposing of our non-recyclable rubbish, and at the same time allows for the sustainable production of energy.”

Maria said: “Clearly, local residents need to know that the ERF is operating to the highest environmental standards. The management here were able to assure me that the plant meets all the latest environmental legislation, and strict controls are placed on emissions, noise and odour.”