IT was "green for go" this week when a Pilsworth-based power plant, producing electricity from tons of waste refuse, was officially launched.

And the environmentally-friendly equipment reinforces Viridor Waste Management, formerly Terry Adams Ltd, as one of the UK's leading waste management companies.

Bury Council chief executive Dennis Taylor helped push the button to start the power plant at the Pilsworth Quarry landfill site on Tuesday.

The starting of the engines, which burn methane gas from landfill gas generated by thousands of tonnes of decomposing rubbish from households and businesses in the North West, was the highlight of a site open day.

The event was held to coincide with the national Waste Month, running throughout October, supported by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Viridor Waste Management, which disposes of 400,000 tonnes of local waste each year at Pilsworth, is the main sponsor of Waste Month.

This week's open day allowed visitors, including local residents, councillors and council officers, to view the power plant.

The equipment consists of two large gas engines generating electricity which flows on to the National Grid. The Pilsworth site uses spark ignition reciprocating engines, which work in the same manner as a car engine - complete with carburettor and spark plug.

The engines are coupled to an alternator which generates the electrical power, which is then connected into the Norweb network.

Under a contract, the Pilsworth site will supply 3.3 MW of electrical power over the next 14 years.

And the whole initiative is clearly in line with the Government's aim of promoting renewable energy technologies.

Viridor Waste Management regional manager Mr John Barnes said: "We are delighted to be able to support the Waste Month and help to add to the debate over the options facing us regarding what we should do with the huge amounts of waste being produced every day."

On Tuesday, visitors were also able to see a presentation on Waste Month by Going for Green.

Its regional director Mr David Smith said: "Waste Month aims to show us all what we can do as individuals to begin to reduce the amount of waste we create and adopt more sustainable ways of living."

Viridor Waste Management is part of the Haul Waste Group of companies.

Operating 19 regional landfill facilities and more than 40 waste processing sites nationwide, the company provides a full range of waste services from recycling, incineration, transport and restoration through to safe and efficient landfill disposal.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.