Direct environmental uses

In addition to their energy uses Miscanthus and willow can be used specifically for environmental improvement purposes.  Energy crops can potentially be used to help dispose of agricultural, municipal or even industrial wastes. In addition they can be considered for growing on low-value ‘brown-field’ sites (e.g. capped landfill sites, mining spoils and contaminated ex-industrial land), providing additional revenue for growers above that gained through their usage as energy crops. They also offer opportunities for site stabilisation and bioremediation of contaminated soils. An ADAS report for Defra “Bioenergy crops and Bioremediation” considers this area in depth.