THE government will block new incinerators unless they help meet environmental objectives under rules unveiled today.

Developers will have to show that their project either reduce non-recyclable waste sent to landfill or replace older, less efficient incinerators.

The move aims to boost recycling rates, which have stalled at around 45 per cent since 2015.

Environment minister Mary Creagh said: “For far too long, the nation has seen its recycling rates stagnate and relied on burning household waste, rather than supporting communities to keep resources in use for longer.

“That ends today, with clear conditions for new energy from waste plants.”

Developers must also ensure incinerators are ready for carbon capture technology and demonstrate how heat produced can help cut household heating bills.

The government expects the crackdown will limit new incinerator construction while still reducing landfill waste and enabling better waste processing.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs noted that the country has nearly enough facilities to handle non-recyclable waste, reducing the need for new incinerators.

But the policy falls short of the Conservatives’ 2024 manifesto pledge to ban all new incinerators, citing their local impacts and reduced demand as recycling increases.