Under the terms of the Landfill Directive, the “co-disposal” of non-hazardous and hazardous waste in UK landfill sites will end in July 2004. In May 2003, the Environment Agency revealed that the number of landfills in England able to take hazardous waste will fall from 182 to only 14 (see letsrecycle.com story). In Wales, the number will fall from nine to zero.
Speaking this week, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesman Mick Bates said that the Labour Assembly government has still not put in place sufficient contingency plans for the new regulations.
Mr Bates said: “These regulations will have an incredible impact on Wales, particularly in terms of hazardous waste. The Labour Assembly government has failed to prepare for this problem, and now producers of hazardous waste will have to foot the bill for carrying it across the border.”
Wales produces about 770,000 tonnes of hazardous waste each year, with at least 140,000 tonnes requiring landfill. However, new European Directives mean that the term “hazardous waste” will include materials previously defined as non-hazardous, including television sets, batteries, vehicles, fluorescent lights and oils.
“The government is falling behind on the minimisation of both municipal and hazardous waste, it is not keeping its local government partners to the agreed targets,” Mr Bates said.
He added: “How we deal with our waste is fast becoming one the most significant social and environmental issues facing us today.”
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