On this Day 1974: Waste turned into Heating

OTD, October 29th 1974…

Reg Harcourt reported fifty years ago today about a system of waste incineration used to heat houses in Nottingham. The joint Nottingham Corporation and National Coal Board project was known as the District Heating System.

Household rubbish that had been collected in Nottingham was mixed with coal and burnt in an incinerator close to London Road in the city – known as the Eastcroft Incinerator.

The generated heat was channeled to the Victoria Shopping Centre and the then new St Ann’s housing development. Reg Harcourt spoke with John Haslam, the Director of Technical Services, and offers a look at the system’s characteristics.