UK based construction and infrastructure specialist, Morgan Sindall has published the findings of its survey of waste and energy professionals on a range of industry-critical issues, including the planning system, legislative targets and new forms of energy generation.

The survey was carried out at the RWM exhibition, with over 200 visitors questioned.

According to the company, the results show a strong divergence of views on hot topics facing the sector.

On the planning process, respondents noted a move to greater acceptance of new waste infrastructure, with 38% agreeing that the age of the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) is passing.

Additionally, the survey increasingly finds that the NIMBY is actually being replaced by the ‘PIMBY’ (Please In My Back Yard) - people who see the social and economic benefits of new developments, such as waste infrastructure. Only 19% believed that old attitudes remain, agreeing that “NIMBYs are here to stay”.

On new forms of energy generation, views towards recovering energy from crematoria were explored, with 77% agreeing that it was “a great idea” and only 5% thinking it “a bad idea”. The concept has been controversial since, earlier this year, Redditch Borough Council announced plans to heat a local swimming pool using the energy from a crematorium.

On legislative targets, there was overwhelming support (80%) for the view that that the UK would achieve government targets to increase the amount of energy generated from renewable sources to 15% by 2020.

Furthermore, the survey found that over a third (36%) thought that legislation has been the most important factor in the UK achieving current levels of recycling, energy and carbon reduction against 46% who believed that financial considerations have played the strongest role.

Respondents were also asked to select a technology or process which they believed has the biggest role to play in transforming waste management in the UK. The most popular choice was anaerobic digestion (33%) followed by incineration (26%), gasification (8%) and pyrolysis (7%).

Andy King, sector leader for energy and waste at Morgan Sindall Professional Services, comments: “We passionately believe that inspirational design can generate greater public acceptance of new waste facilities and that this, in turn, will help the country meet its renewable energy targets.”