No new landfill restrictions currently planned

The Government has announced that it will meet the 2010 Landfill Directive target and does not currently have any plans to introduce further restrictions in England.

The latest data for England from the Environment Agency shows that combined with similar data from the devolved administrations, the UK will meet the 2010 Landfill Diversion Target to reduce biodegradable municipal waste to landfill. This is a key EU waste target with further targets to be met in 2013 and 2020.

Speaking while touring Green-Works’ warehouse in Wembley, a social enterprise dedicated to helping the environment by diverting redundant office furniture from landfill to be reused and recycled, Environment Minister Lord Henley said; “It is pleasing to see that from the latest data the UK will meet the 2010 Landfill Directive target as it shows that people are beginning to realise that we can’t continue sending huge amounts of waste to landfill.”

The Government has also  published responses on two landfill consultations that began under the previous Government last March and closed in June. The consultations were on meeting EU landfill diversion targets and on the introduction of restrictions on the landfilling of certain wastes, such as paper/card, food, textiles, metals, wood, green (garden) waste, glass, plastics, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), biodegradable wastes and non-segregated wastes.

Responding to the previous Government’s consultation on landfill restrictions, Environment Minister Lord Henley said: “This government is not minded to introduce further landfill restrictions in England at this stage, but will consider how best to make progress towards the objective of zero waste to landfill as part of the Review of Waste Policies, due to conclude in Spring 2011.”