EU Landfill Directive 

The UK currently produces 28 million tonnes of municipal waste every year, 83% of which ends up in landfill. In England and Wales the directive is applied under the Landfill Regulations 2002 and must be fully implemented by July 2009. It sets demanding targets for the reduction of biodegradable municipal wastes sent to landfill which are detailed as follows:

•    By 2010 we must reduce biodegradable municipal waste landfilled to 75% of that produced in 1995.

•    By 2013 we must reduce biodegradable municipal waste landfilled to 50% of that produced in 1995.

•    By 2020 we must reduce biodegradable municipal waste landfilled to 35% of that produced in 1995.

Though this will have a greater impact on household waste managed by local authorities, it will also present major commercial opportunities for the waste management industry as waste producers will increasingly be looking towards it for innovative solutions to their problems.