London Wider Waste Strategy - London - Greater London Authority

contaminated soils, although these are not currently used to a great extent in the UK.
Therefore, the greatest potential for reducing the amount of London’s hazardous waste
to be landfilled is most likely to be achieved through focusing on contaminated soils. It
should be noted that the transport and disposal of contaminated soils is often a very
significant proportion of the costs of brownfield site redevelopment and thus hazardous
waste landfill shortages may theoretically encourage more on-site contaminated land
remediation. It is likely that the final decision may be determined by time, space and
cost constraints.
6.58. There are a range of technologies available which are capable of on-site treatment of
contaminated soils, either through bioremediation, solvent extraction, or immobilisation
(mixing the waste with other constituents such as concrete which will immobilise the
hazardous components). These are discussed in more detail in the next sub-section.
6.59. The Environment Minister Elliot Morley commented that when co-disposal ends in July,
the costs of disposal for contaminated soils could increase by 10-100%, depending on
factors including pre-treatment (which can both increase and decrease volume), greater
incentives for on-site treatment (which would decrease demand for landfill), and
increasing costs which will provide a strong incentive to minimise, recycle and re-use
such soils (Resource Management and Recovery, 5 th March 2004).
6.60. The DEFRA representative at the recent Hazardous Waste Conference 41 accepted that
the forthcoming regulations may have a significant impact on brownfield site
development in London. He suggested that it was entirely plausible that construction
on brownfield sites may be greatly curtailed in the short to medium term until suitable
treatment technologies are available to address this issue.
6.61. Therefore, it is likely that there will be significantly increased costs associated with
brownfield site development in London. This could affect brownfield site development
in the short to medium term.
Recommendation 52: It is recommended that in response to the prohibition of codisposal
of hazardous and non-hazardous waste urgent consideration is given
to the opportunities for on-site treatment of contaminated soils, and the way
in which the resultant increased costs of brownfield site development may
affect other policy objectives (eg. housing provision, as well as short to
medium term commercial development).
Alternatives to Landfill
6.62. From 16 July 2004, in London and the UK as a whole, there is expected to be a
significant shortfall in facilities available to treat hazardous waste, including landfill
capacity. If the breakdown of hazardous waste arisings in London remains similar to
that in 2002 (refer Figure 6.2), then the treatment capacity required for hazardous
waste produced in London after July 2004 will be in excess of 330,000 tonnes.
6.63. In 2002 the treatment of hazardous wastes in London accounted for approximately
24,000 tonnes (refer Figure 6.3), less than 8% of the required capacity. Since the
figures of the amount of waste exported to treatment are unknown, the treatment
capacity required to handle London’s hazardous waste could be in excess of 330,000
tonnes p.a. as stated above. This estimate excludes the additional capacity
41 letsrecycle.com Conference, Hazardous Waste Summit, 24 th March 2004
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