No, waste-to-energy does not remove 95% of rubbish from landfills on its own. Most waste-to-energy systems reduce rubbish by around 85–90%. What remains is ash, which still needs to be disposed of safely. This leftover material means some waste always ends up in a landfill.
Chums Clearance helps reduce landfill use by making sure rubbish is handled the right way. As a licensed London clearance company, they recycle where possible and take remaining waste only to approved sites. This supports waste-to-energy systems by sending rubbish through proper channels instead of illegal dumping.
What Waste-to-Energy Means in Simple Terms
Waste-to-energy plants burn rubbish that cannot be recycled. The heat created is used to produce electricity or heat for nearby areas. This process dramatically reduces the amount of waste, but it does not remove it completely.
On average, burning rubbish cuts its size by about 85–90%. This helps reduce landfill use and lowers harmful gases that would be released if waste were left to rot underground.
Why 95% is hard to reach
When rubbish is burned, some material is left behind as ash. This ash is around 10–15% of the original waste and still needs to go to special landfill sites. Because of this, waste-to-energy on its own cannot keep 95% of waste out of landfills.
Higher results are only possible when recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy are used together. Burning rubbish alone is not enough.
Challenges in the UK
In the UK, waste-to-energy plants help reduce landfill use and provide power to homes. Even so, reaching very high waste reduction levels is difficult. These plants cost a lot to build, must follow strict rules, and work best when waste is adequately sorted before it is burned.
In large towns and cities, limited space, high costs, and poor waste sorting make this even harder.
How Chums Clearance Helps
Chums Clearance carries out house, garden, and rubbish clearances across London. All waste is collected carefully and taken to licensed recycling or disposal sites. Waste transfer notes are provided so everything is handled the right way.
By sorting waste where possible and using landfill only when needed, Chums Clearance helps reduce fly-tipping and supports cleaner waste handling. This helps keep London cleaner and safer for everyone.
