UK meets 2010 Landfill Directive target

Environment Agency data for the 2009 calendar year shows that England is landfilling considerably less waste than its 2010 target – approximately 14.6 million tonnes compared to the 2010 target of about 21.7 million tonnes. When combined with similar data from the devolved administrations, this shows the UK goal will be reached.

This is a key EU waste target with further targets to be met in 2013 and 2020, the government said.

The English figures are based on the revised interpretation of municipal waste, and resulting changes to the landfill diversion targets. This information is currently near final and thus subject to change. It should be considered provisional, but any change is not expected to materially affect the conclusions in regard to the Landfill Directive target. Data covering other parts of the UK is currently in production.

The UK will report data for 2007 – 2009 to the European Commission shortly.

The announcement came today as the government also published its responses to consultations on landfill bans or restrictions (see letsrecycle.com story) and meeting EU landfill diversion targets (see letsrecycle.com story).

Speaking while touring Green-Works' warehouse in Wembley, a social enterprise which diverts 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.

“As this Government strives to be the greenest government ever it will be important that this trend continues as we look to meet future targets.”