Report - London Borough of Hillingdon

Key Drivers
The Landfill Directive
4. The main legislative instrument which now drives all waste strategies throughout the
UK and Europe is the EU Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC) which was implemented in the UK
by The Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002.
5. As reported previously to the Authority the Landfill Directive is designed to address
the environmental, social and economic impacts of landfill. It contains a mix of objectives for
reducing the amount and type of wastes going to landfill. The key issue for local authorities
throughout the UK is the reduction of biodegradable municipal wastes (BMW) through the
promotion of alternatives such as waste minimisation, recycling, composting and energy
recovery from waste. To assess progress with this aim the Directive has the following key
targets which if not achieved could result in member states being heavily fined :-
• by 2010 reduce the amount of BMW landfilled to 75% of that produced in 1995;
• by 2013 reduce the amount of BMW landfilled to 50% of that produced in 1995;
• by 2020 reduce the amount of BMW landfilled to 35% of that produced in 1995;
Waste Emissions Trading Act 2003
6. To ensure that the UK meets the targets detailed above the Government, through the
Waste Emissions Trading Act 2003 is now rationing the use of landfill in the UK by setting
maximum levels of BMW that can be landfilled from now until 2020. The graph below
illustrates how this rationing affects the West London Waste Authority until 2020.
700,000
600,000
500,000
Excess waste
that must be
dealt with.
Tonnes BMW
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
Waste that
can be
landfilled
-
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
2019/20
PART 1 – MEMBERS, PUBLIC AND PRESS
Cabinet report 10 th November 2005 Page 208