EU Landfill Directive (99/31/EC)

The EU Landfill Directive (99/31/EC) came into force in 1999, and the UK had two years to incorporate the requirements into UK legislation. Certain aspects are already covered by existing legislation, such as the Waste Management Licensing Regulations and the Environmental Protection Act, but further laws are required to cover new areas. One such new piece of legislation is The Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 , which covers most of the targets outlined below, with the exception of biodegradable waste targets.

In addition to Landfill Tax costs, these new regulations are likely to make waste disposal more expensive, and should encourage waste minimisation and recycling initiatives.

The Landfill Directive targets are:

• To reduce biodegradable waste going to landfill to 75% of 1995 figures by 2010 and to 35% by 2020. (This included paper, card, food, garden waste and organic textiles.)
• In 2004 co-disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste was banned. Three separate landfill types are required for hazardous, non-hazardous and inert wastes. The UK uses the EU Hazardous Waste List (94/904/EC) as a definition of hazardous waste, rather than the UK Special Waste list.
• The requirement to treat most wastes before they are landfilled. From 2004, all hazardous wastes going to landfill have needed to be treated first.
• Disposal of whole tyres at landfill sites was banned in 2003, and by 2006 tyre granules were also not permitted in landfills.
• To ban landfilling of liquid wastes, certain clinical waste and certain hazardous wastes. This is already in place in the UK.
• Increase the level of control, monitoring and reporting at landfill sites. This is already in place in the UK.

The regulations aim to reduce the volume of waste and increase recycling rates. Composting and careful segregation of waste types for recycling will need to be encouraged to fulfil the targets.

Waste acceptable at landfills as inert waste includes

• Waste glass based fibrous materials
• Glass packaging
• Concrete
• Bricks
• Tiles and ceramics
• Glass
• Soil and stones, excluding topsoil & peat

Further Information

Environment Agency - the regulatory body's web pages on the Landfill Directive.

Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs - Defra's waste pages cover landfill regulations.

Lets Recycle.com - has up-to-date news and information on environmental legislation including the Landfill Directive