'Outdated? It's the best technology'

THE company chosen to provide the island's solid waste disposal method was surprised to hear that the proposed system had been called outdated.

'We have many clients in countries all over Europe who have chosen this technology to deal with their waste.' said Suez Environnement project manager Alexandra Bourgoin.

A third are less than 10 years old, including facilities in the UK, France, Germany, Andorra, the Isle of Man, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Ms Bourgoin said Suez was currently commissioning two new energy-from-waste plants using the same stepped grate furnace design that is proposed for Guernsey, one in Cleveland and one in Caen.

'The stepped grate technology is one of the most proven, reliable, widely-used and up-to-date waste treatment technologies,' she said.

'For Guernsey, it will be part of an integrated solution comprising materials recovery, EfW and bottom ash processing.

'That is a combination of the best proven technologies and designed specifically for the island,' she said.

The company was responding to comments made by environmentalists, scientists and businessmen in the Guernsey Press, who claimed it would be vastly over-expensive, environmentally damaging and use outdated technology.