Update on New Rules on Landfill Waste

It is five months since new rules came into force requiring landfilled waste to be pre-treated. The Environment Agency has announced that it expects the waste management industry, particularly landfill operators, to take a tougher line on the waste accepted from businesses for disposal.

The Environment Agency had previously worked to raise awareness amongst businesses and encourage them to change their waste management practices, as well as allowing landfill operators to accept waste without evidence that it had been treated.

From 30 April 2008 the Environment Agency expects landfill operators to obtain written evidence from their customers that waste has been pre-treated. The rule changes mean businesses who produce or manage waste going to landfill must check whether it is being treated. If it is not, they must treat it themselves or ensure that their waste management contractor does this for them.

Commenting, Dirk Hazell, ESA Chief Executive, said: “We hope waste producers will work with us to make a success of these changes. To ensure compliance with the Landfill Directive, it is really important that waste producers ensure they provide the right information to their waste management company.”