FAQ

What is being proposed?

Qualitech Environmental Services Ltd is proposing to construct and operate the Tofts Road Energy Recovery Facility (TRERF) on land off Tofts Road West in Hartlepool. The facility would provide capacity to treat hazardous waste arising in the Tees Valley and across the UK, reduce the amount of waste shipped overseas for treatment, and generate domestic energy.
Why is this facility needed?

The UK currently has very limited capacity to treat hazardous waste. The two existing facilities are both over 35 years old and experience frequent shutdowns, meaning they cannot keep up with demand.
As a result, thousands of tonnes of hazardous waste is exported to mainland Europe every year, adding to carbon emissions through long-distance road and sea transport.
A new facility in Hartlepool would treat this waste closer to where it is produced, while also generating electricity and heat. Avoiding waste going to landfill and using this waste to generate energy in the UK delivers economic benefits and is more sustainable than transporting waste to other regions or countries.
The facility would also be capable of treating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as forever chemicals, which do not break down naturally and can only be destroyed at very high temperatures.
What types of waste will the facility treat?

The facility would treat waste classed as hazardous from sources such as manufacturing, pharmaceutical facilities, engineering, maintenance and industrial cleaning. Waste will come primarily from the UK, and is likely to come from the North West and North East regions, where the majority of hazardous waste for incineration in England is produced.
The waste would not be general household black bin bag waste. It would be specialist hazardous waste that requires controlled treatment.
What are PFAS and PFOS, and why do they need to be destroyed?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) are often called forever chemicals because they do not break down naturally in the environment. They can only be destroyed at very high temperatures.
The proposed facility would be capable of treating these substances, helping to reduce reliance on overseas treatment routes.
How is this facility different from a normal waste incinerator?
Will the facility produce harmful emissions?

The facility has been designed to meet the latest Best Available Techniques for waste treatment and will operate within a tightly regulated environment.
A detailed air quality assessment is being carried out as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment. This will consider current air quality conditions in the area and demonstrate that there will be no significant impacts on air quality as a result of the development.
Flue gases will pass through a multi-stage cleaning system before release through the stack, with continuous monitoring in place to ensure compliance with strict emission limits set by the Environment Agency as part of the Environmental Permit.
Will this increase traffic on local roads?

Hazardous waste will be delivered to the site in sealed containers by road. The site is located within an established industrial area with strong transport connections.
The proposed facility will generate fewer vehicle movements, including both Heavy Goods Vehicle and non-Heavy Goods Vehicle trips, than the usage the site is already permitted for.
Vehicles associated with the facility would be routed away from residential areas, travelling south towards Tees Road and the A1185, then towards the A19.
How many jobs will the facility create?

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