May 13th, 2009: Defra statistics confirm fall in waste arisings

Evidence that waste levels in England are falling has come with the publication of the latest quarterly municipal waste statistics from Defra. According to data published today (May 7) from the government’s WasteDataFlow database, England recycled 40% of the 6.48 million tonnes of household waste generated between July and September 2008 - which was down from 6.69 million tonnes for the same period in 2007.

 

April 29th, 2009: Chancellor Announces....

Chancellor Alistair Darling has announced that there will be a continued increase in the standard rate of landfill tax by £8 per tonne on 1 April each year until 2013 in this year’s Budget. This will mean that landfill tax will be £56 in 2011, £64 in 2012 and £72 by April 2013. The Government aims to reduce the UK’s dependence on landfill by encouraging further investment into alternative waste management options, such as anaerobic digestion technology.

 

April 29th, 2009 Changes in Plasterboard Disposal

Landfilling of gypsum waste including plasterboard

Purpose of this note
“This statement summarises how we will regulate the landfilling of waste containing or consisting of gypsum in England and Wales. If such wastes are disposed of with biodegradable wastes it can lead to the production of odorous and toxic hydrogen sulphide gas. To reduce the impact of this waste we want to ensure that it is managed properly. This position supersedes all previously issued regulatory positions connected with the landfill of gypsum waste. We are developing guidance with industry on the management of ‘other high sulphate bearing waste’ that will be available soon“

 

Pre-Treatment of Waste

From 30 October 2007, the landfill Directive requires all non-hazardous waste to be treated before being landfilled. The aim is to reduce reliance on landfill and the environmental impact of landfill sites. The Directive defines treatment as “physical, thermal, chemical or biological processes… that change the characteristics of a waste in order to reduce its volume, hazardous nature or facilitate its handling for recovery.
“To facilitate this new legislation Weir Waste Services have recently installed a new construction recycling plant and are in the process of installing a commercial/industrial materials recycling facility.”

 

Landfill Tax

The recent Budget included a promise to raise landfill tax by £8 a tonne per year from 1 April 2008 until at least 2010-11. This replaces a policy of a £3 per tonne annual increase and ends a commitment to limit the rate at £35 a tonne. The £24 a tonne rate from April 2007 will double to £48 by 2010, encouraging investment in alternatives to landfill. The lower tax rate for inert waste will increase from £2 to £2.50 per tonne from 1 April 2008.
“Speak to Weir Waste and see how we can help you control your waste costs via waste stream segregation.”

 

SWMP’S

Every year the construction industry produces approximately 1.45 tonnes of waste for every person living in the UK. Site waste is harmful to the environment and to your business. To help tackle the issue of site waste, the DTI has introduced Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs). These are likely to become a legal requirement in England and Wales by spring 2008.
“Speak to Weir Waste and see how we can help you remain compliant via our waste reporting systems.”