The European Landfill Directive has set tough targets for the reduction of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) landfilled: by 2010, it must be just 75% of that produced in 1995, by 2013 it must be 50% of the 1995 figure, and by 2020, BMW landfilled must be just 35% of that produced in 1995.

On top of this, the Waste Strategy 2000 set the UK the target of composting or recycling 25% of household waste by 2005, 30% by 2010 and 33% by 2015.

Because green waste is relatively heavy by volume and so meets weight-based targets more easily than lighter materials, councils are increasingly setting up composting schemes for municipal green waste.

Two monthly prices for these activities are provided by letsrecycle.com. One is for the gate fee typically paid by a local authority or a green waste business to deposit material at a composting facility. The second is an indicative selling price for composts and mulches produced in accordance with industry standards.