A group from Lichfield Diocese did not have a wasted journey when they visited a state-of-the-art Energy Recovery Facility in Staffordshire.
The Veolia plant in Four Ashes officially opened in 2014 and turns waste that is difficult to recycle or compost into enough electricity to power 66,000 local homes.
People from churches across the region visited the site to find out more about the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling waste.
Of the 412,000 tonnes of domestic waste produced in the area each year, almost half is sent for energy recovery at the Four Ashes facility and its sister plant in Stoke-on-Trent, working in partnership with local authorities.
Waste is then burnt at temperatures of at least 800 degrees, producing 29MW of electricity for domestic use from Four Ashes alone. Ash residue from the furnaces is ploughed back into making local roads.
The Revd Emma Cooksey organised the trip to support work across the Diocese to encourage people to think about the way in which they care for Gods earth and our responsibility to the Creator, our neighbours globally and future generations.
The Dioceses Director of Vocations Lindsey Hall said: It was fascinating to visit the Energy Recovery Facility and see what happens to waste that would otherwise go to landfill. The key message is that we need to carefully consider all of the waste that we produce and reduce, reuse and recycle wherever we can.
Some practical ways to reduce waste are featured in #CHADLiving videos produced by people through the Diocese. They can be viewed here
Meanwhile, at Diocesan Synod on Saturday, local churches were urged to take the lead in tackling climate change by registering for the Eco Church scheme.
