From deep dives into carbon policy to conversations on CCS, heat networks and sector innovation, 2025 was a year of insight and momentum across the EfW Network. Below is a look back at some of the content, discussions and contributions that shaped the platform over the past 12 months.

The Energy from Waste Podcast

2025 saw The Energy from Waste Podcast come to the network, with a series of expert-led conversations that helped deepen industry understanding of the sector’s most pressing challenges. Across six episodes, the podcast explored topics ranging from treatment capacity and workforce gaps to CCS, legal frameworks and the future role of EfW within the wider energy landscape.

Podcast highlights included:
Sorting It Out: The Next Challenge for Waste and Resource Recovery - Dr Stephen Wise and Jamie Warmington explored how new policy, carbon costs and technology are reshaping how we sort waste.  They spoke AI-driven sorting, ETS incentives and innovations in the EfW sector.

Capacity - how much is too much? With Dr Adam Read & Paul James - As the first episode of the EfW Net Podcast, this conversation set the tone for the series. Dr Adam Read and Paul James explored how the waste sector landscape has evolved, the impact of waste infrastructure policy, and the value of ‘catch-all’ technologies, all while using memorable football analogies to bring key points to life. Our thanks to Dr Read and Paul for helping to kick things off.

Navigating the EfW legal landscape - This episode sees Dr Stephen Wise and Dr Anna Willetts unpack the complexities of the waste sector’s legal landscape, offering insight into notable criminal and civil cases shaping the industry.  EfW Net are looking forward to having host Dr Stephen Wise back in 2026.

Operational Optimisation 2025

This technical Birmingham event brought together operational leaders looking to enhance performance and reliability across waste-to-energy and biomass assets.  Attendees engaged directly with sector specialists and took part in practical, in-depth discussions.

EfW Net has since published a selection of presentations from the event, including:

• Laborelec - Research & Innovasion: Antonio Alarcon, Product Portfolio Manager, International and Emissions ENGIE Laborelec
• Optimising Outage Management: Harnessing CCSM Technology For Confined Spaces: Gary Cooling, FISM, National Sales Manager – Energy from Waste, Total Safety UK
  

The 2026 Operational Optimisation event will return on 28–29 September, and we’ll be covering the build-up across the Network.

Highlights from Around the Network

The Network had a lot of activity throughout 2025, with articles, webinars and community contributions covering a wide range of topics.  Here are some of the highlights:

AI-based contaminant detection and waste analysis
In July, Wasteer delivered a webinar on AI-based contaminant detection and waste analysis for the EfW Net.  Benedict Von Spankeren, CEO and founder of Wasteer touched on aspects such as contaminant detection, automated alerts & documentation, enhanced efficiency with cost savings and lots more.  This webinar is worth a watch if you haven't done so already.

Contributions from Paul Winter
A regular EfW Net contributor, Paul Winter provided several insightful pieces this year, including 'What the Upcoming Autumn Budget Could Mean for Infrastructure' and 'What Energy from Waste Operators Need to Know'.  We look forward to more from Paul in 2026.

CCS Integration at the Sharjah Waste-to-Energy Plant
Emirates Waste to Energy shared a key article exploring Sharjah’s plan to add CCS to its WtE facility, capturing up to 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ a year and offering a model for regional decarbonisation.

Miles to Malts – a charitable way to use surplus energy and shrink the waist sector
EfW Net member Neville Hargreaves has been walking 666 miles from Oxfordshire to Islay to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. 

Dedicated to the memory of Susan Fletcher Watts, the “Miles to Malts” trek spans seven weeks and climbs the equivalent of 2.8 Everests.  Follow or support the challenge at miles2malts.com.

Inside the Engineering of the New GCC WtE Ecosystem
Egis consultant Mehmet Volga Suren provided one of the year’s most insightful interviews, outlining how the GCC is reshaping Waste-to-Energy through integrated systems, climate-specific engineering, bankable PPP models and a stronger focus on circularity and resilience.

EfW Net in 2026

2026 is set to be a busy year for the EFW Network.  Expect a brand-new podcast series, deeper analysis and opinion pieces, interviews with leading voices, and an expanded selection of event presentations. There’s much more to come as we continue to grow.