Page 75 - Waste-to-Energy in the Danube Strategy Region. Challenges and Prospects

Thirdly, Zwentendorf achieved unusually high public support levels in a referendum held

prior to facility construction. Despite the generally recognized complexity of gaining social
acceptance, convincing the local citizens in Zwentendorf appears not to have been problematic.

Several measures seem to have been key. First, national waste management policies and the

necessary steps for implementation, such as the building of WtE plants, were explained to citizens

through open dialogue. Furthermore, possible conflicts were settled through compromises, such

as in the case of road transport limits. Finally, the potential positive impact on the region and local
communities was promoted and ultimately achieved by hiring and training mostly locals, who also

then act as spokespeople for the plant within the broader community.

Last but not least, Zwentendorf is recognized as a successful project not only among locals
but also in the broader WtE industry. The know-how acquired during the planning and operation

of the thermal utilization plant in Zwentendorf was applied in the EVN MSZ 3 project in Moscow,

which has been operating since 2007 and is considered to be a success. EVN is also involved in an

advisory role on more plants currently in the planning stages across Europe (EVN Abfallverwertung
2017). Such sharing of knowledge and experience with WtE technologies is both possible and

highly desirable.

Project co-funded by the European Union
67