Protesters to rally locals in fight against waste plant
Public meeting to co-ordinate opposition
PROTESTERS battling plans for a controversial energy-from-waste plant in Glasgow will rally their forces tonight.
Hundreds of l ocal residents are expected to attend a public meeting, arranged by Glasgow Alternatives To Incineration group (GAIN), to discuss the plan for the South Side development.
Their aim is to build opposition to the plant.
Speakers will include Glasgow Green MSP Patrick Harvie, who is sceptical about the project.
The giant facility, to be built at the site of an existing rubbish depot in Polmadie, will be run by waste giant Viridor under
I would hope Glasgow would have a more enlightened approach
a 25-year-contract with Glasgow City Council
The plant will process up to 200,000 tonnes of rubbish a year.
It will sort some of the trash for recycling and organic materials will undergo anaerobic digestion, being turned in to gas in big tanks.
But most unrecyclable rubbish, including the goo left over after digestion, will be gasified in what is described an “advanced conversion facility”.
The gas from both processes will fire a combined heat and power plant, which will generate both hot water and electricity.
Critics believe the plant will act as a disincentive for Glasgow to improve its low recycling rates.
Ab i Mordin, one of GAIN’s organisers, said: “We want to see an increase in recycling.
“I would hope Glasgow would have a more enlightened approach to its waste problem, as the prospect of having an incinerator on our doorstep, it’s not a healthy thing to have.”
Supporters of the plant say the emissions from the plant would be safe.
Glasgow City Council estimates it will save over £250m by sending its waste to the plant over the – rising –cost of dumping it in landfill.
The council and Viridor were invited to the meeting, but declined to attend. The meeting takes place, at 6.30pm, at Mount Florida Prima
ry, Cathcart Road.