The Challenge

Redundant by-product from Coal Industry

Every year, coal fired power stations in the UK produce over 6 million tonnes of pulverised fuel ash (PFA) as a by-product of burning coal to generate electricity. Currently, only half is being recycled, the rest being needlessly disposed of at operational landfills.

Whilst the recycled proportion of PFA has hitherto been used in the construction industry, Lichen Renewal has developed an innovative use for PFA to create a beneficial cap on former landfill sites.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Over 900,000 tonnes of CH4 (methane) were released into the atmosphere from operational, regulated landfills in the UK (in 2008).

A large number of former, unregulated, landfill sites are currently a burden for local government and can be a blight on local communities. Their potential value as a source of methane gas for energy production is wasted and their use as productive land is squandered.

The UK faces a huge challenge in tackling its historical environmental liabilities which result from these unregulated former landfill. The methane and carbon dioxide that is emitted from landfills also contribute to the total greenhouse gases released in the UK. In response to growing concern about climate change, the UK Government set a legally binding target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80% compared to 1990 levels before 2050.

Waste to Landfill

From the waste perspective, the UK has tough targets to meet in reducing the amount of waste that is sent to landfill and the main objective of reaching zero waste to landfill is still the ultimate aim. Our approach will allow for the diversion of 3 million tonnes of waste from the coal industry and make use of organic waste to create a fertile artificial soil.

Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC)

The Government is committed to reducing our carbon usage and seeks to lower the amount of CO2 emitted to the atmosphere. Lichen Renewal's technology has the capacity to capture carbon efficiently as the green waste gas is converted to electricity and biochar. Lichen Renewal can stabilise carbon for hundreds of years and it contributes effectively to carbon reduction targets at no cost as it occurs through the production of biochar soil and creates green electricity.

The carbon convergence of bringing the green waste to a landfill to produce biochar soil and electricity is a powerful tool in the drive to reduce carbon emissions as effectively and efficiently as possible.