More landfill sites close as waste volumes fall

Although another eight landfill sites have either opened or re-opened in the last year, there has been a further drop in the amount of waste being sent to landfill, the report found.

This was attributed in part to the impact of the recession as well as local authorities grappling to pay increasing landfill tax, which rose by 8 to 64 per tonne in April 2012 and is set to rise to 72 a tonne from April 2013. As a result, the study notes that some landfill sites have completed their void and planning has not been allowed for an extension or the site has come to the end of its natural life.

The development of alternative waste treatment facilities, such as energy-from-waste and mechanical biological treatment plants, it also diverting waste from landfill, the study found.

The annual report, Estimates waste volumes deposited at landfill sites in Great Britain, was published this week Bath-based BDS Marketing Research Ltd. It lists all known open gate landfill sites operated by waste management companies in Great Britain and the estimated waste inputs for each of these sites.

Landfill site operators

The report estimates that the largest UK landfill firm continues to be FCC Environment Ltd, as it is the largest operator in an area extending from the south east to the north west of England.

The second largest landfill operator is identified as Biffa, followed by Viridor, Veolia and SITA UK. Together these top five market players make up more than 60% of the landfill market, according to the report.

Although the countrys leading six firms represent more than 80% of the landfill market in most areas of England, the report also notes significant regional differences in the size of landfill firms operations.

In northern England, Wales and Scotland, the largest landfill firms are estimated to have a smaller share of the market less than 70%.