Burying it won’t make it go away

SIR – Before the pseudo-scientists, environmentalists and fellow travellers begin to protest about the proposed £120m waste facility (November 16th) it might be prudent to point out the disadvantages of landfill against the “reliable and proven technology used elsewhere in the UK and across Europe", to quote a council representative.

For landfill disposal first find a large deep hole, then seek planning permission. Having survived placard waving, organised press and e-mail bombardment and gained approval, you then have to engineer the site.

This means layers of impermeable clay and perhaps three layers of polythene membrane. While that goes in, you need a drainage system to pick up the leachate which develops in tanker loads and a methane collection system which is either flared or used to produce some electricity.

All the methane (a deadly component of global warming) does not get collected.

Now you are in the waste collection business and loaded lor ries make their way to your site along tiny country roads which then take a hammering at a cost to the public purse. Because an escalator was put in place to discourage this practice – we have, since April 1, 2015, been taxed at £82.60 per tonne to get rid of waste in this way. So we pay landfill tax, repair roads, pay for vehicles, fuel and drivers . . .

If there is any criticism to be made of the Aberdeen incinerator plan it can only be that the railway should be used to transport the waste from Moray all the way through Aberdeenshire to the city in sealed wagons.

Sam Coull Lendrum Terrace, Stirlinghill,

Boddam