A report released by BDS Marketing Research Ltd has revealed that falling volumes of residual waste led to the closure of over 30 landfill sites in the UK in 2012, with only 8 opening or re-opening.
This brings the total number of landfill site closures to 130 since 2008 and highlights the decreasing amount of waste being landfilled in the UK.
The report, ‘Estimates waste volumes deposited at landfill sites in Great Britain’, released yesterday (2 January), found that as well as falling residual waste volumes, the annual hike in landfill tax (which rose from £56 per tonne in 2011-12 to £64 per tonne in 2012-13), has made the use of alternative waste treatment options more attractive, thus leading to increased waste diversion.
Additionally, many landfill sites are now coming to the end of their ‘natural life’ and are not being granted planning for an extension of their operation.
The news comes just two months after official figures released by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) showed that between April 2011 and March 2012 English local authorities recycled, composted or reused more than they landfilled, for the first time.
Speaking about the decrease in waste being sent to landfill, Defra’s Minister for Resources, Lord de Mauley said: “Across the country, people are cutting the amount of waste going to landfill by recycling more. They are not only protecting the environment, but fuelling a growing industry that reuses the things they throw away. “
Waste Management
According to BDS the ‘largest national landfill company’ is FCC Environment, followed by Biffa, Viridor, Veolia and SITA. In total, it is estimated that these companies account for in excess of 60 per cent of the landfill market in the UK.
However, this figure isn’t applicable across the UK with large regional differences discernable. It was found that in most parts of England the top six landfill companies actually account for as much as 80 per cent of the landfill market. Whereas, in northern England, Wales and Scotland this figure is far lower at around 70 per cent.
The annual report lists ‘all known open gate landfill sites operated by waste management companies’ and estimates the input of each site. The amount each landfill site has taken is then estimated and broken down into categories: inert, municipal and other wastes. From this data company market shares are calculated and broken down into county, region and national figures.
Read the ‘Estimates waste volumes deposited at landfill sites in Great Britain’ report.
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.