Cement firm to burn demolition waste
A CEMENT firm is planning to burn 100 tonnes a week of demolition waste in its kilns, the Environment Agency has confirmed. 

The government pollution watchdog is holding two open surgeries to discuss the controversial plans by Castle Cement to "recycle" the new waste at its Ribblesdale works.

The firm also wants to burn its toxic waste fuel, Cemfuel, on kiln seven at the plant and increase its limit for emissions of sulphur. At present, Cemfuel is burned in kilns five and six at the site.

The surgeries will take place at Clitheroe Parish Church Hall on July 2, from 1pm to 6.30pm, and July 3, from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

They will be followed by a four-week consultation period. 

An agency spokesman said: "Castle Cement applied to start burning Cemfuel in kiln seven last November. The application also included a number of changes to its licence to operate at Ribblesdale. These included the use of alternative materials such as construction waste in the kilns and the increase of sulphur limits." 

Castle Cement wants to use up to 100 tonnes a week of the new material, including concrete roof tiles, as a replacement for quarried limestone in the making of cement.

Bosses claim it will reduce landfilling of construction materials that could be recycled.

Lynda England, of East Lancashire Friends of the Earth, said in light of the fact that Castle Cement was awaiting prosecution for a pollution incident in March the plan was "absolutely unbelievable." 

No-one at Castle Cement was available to comment.