Apologies for Cross-Postings
From: "James Watson" <jameswatson@no.address>
Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2005 21:24:41 +0100
From:
<http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050203a.htm>http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050203a.htm
NEWS RELEASE
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR
Out of hours: 020 7270 8960
3 February 2005
LIMITS SET ON THE LANDFILLING OF WASTE
Local authorities across England have been set limits on the amount of
biodegradable municipal waste they can dispose of in landfill sites.
Environment Minister Elliot Morley, today confirmed the final allocation
of landfill allowances for England's 121 waste disposal authorities.
Allocations have been set in advance of the launch of the Landfill
Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS) on 1 April this year.
Mr Morley said: "Government will be introducing the scheme to help local
authorities meet the tough new targets under the EU Landfill Directive, to
reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill
sites, in the most cost effective way.
"While the targets are challenging, this is an innovative approach which
gives authorities the flexibility to decide how and when to make the
necessary changes in the way they handle their waste, while ensuring that
England meets national and international obligations in the most cost
effective way," he explained.
As such, waste disposal authorities will be able to trade their allowances
with other disposal authorities; selling allowances if their waste has
already been diverted to other disposal routes - for example recycling -
or buying allowances if they have no alternative but to landfill more
waste than their allocation of allowances enables them to.
There will also be the chance to 'bank' for those who want to save unused
allowances or 'borrow' for those that want to bring forward part of their
future allocation.
Mr Morley added: "Combined with existing waste targets, this scheme will
encourage the move away from landfill and towards more sustainable waste
management practices."
The diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill is a key
objective under the EU Landfill Directive. One tonne of biodegradable
waste - such as paper, card, textiles, kitchen and garden waste - produces
between 200 and 400m3 of landfill gas. Landfills released 25% of the UK's
methane emissions in 2001, which represents 2% of the world's total
greenhouse gas emissions.
In the United Kingdom, by 2010, biodegradable municipal waste going to
landfill must be 75% of the amount produced in 1995; by 2013 this is
reduced to 50% and by 2020 to 35%.
The scheme should benefit councils such as Isle of Wight District Council,
Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council and Dorset County Council who have
all taken the lead in by collecting, composting and recycling over a
quarter of household waste produced in their area during 2002/03.
To assist local authorities in planning to meet their reduction targets,
Defra has also launched an electronic planning tool which will help local
authorities to integrate LATS with their waste strategy and enable them to
make the most effective use of the flexibilities provided within the scheme.
The tool (known as M-BEAM) will been published shortly on the Waste
Implementation Programme (WIP), Local Authority Support Unit (LASU)
website at <http://lasupport.defra.gov.uk/>http://lasupport.defra.gov.uk.
In addition, Defra is planning a further series of seminars for local
authority officers, Chief Executives and Councillors to ask any questions
they may have about the scheme and to discuss how it can benefit them. The
seminars will be held in March and further details will be sent to all
authorities shortly.
Notes for editors
1. Article 5(2) of the EC Directive [1999/31/EC] on the landfill of waste
requires the UK:
* by 2006 to reduce the amount of BMW going to landfill to 75% of that
produced in 1995;
* by 2009 to reduce the amount of BMW going to landfill to 50% of that
produced in 1995;
* by 2016 to reduce the amount of BMW going to landfill to 35% of that
produced in 1995.
The Directive allows member states which landfilled over 80% of their
municipal waste in 1995 to postpone the targets by up to four years. The
Government intends to use this four year derogation, making the target
dates for the UK 2010, 2013 and 2020.
The allowances are allocated under the Waste and Emissions Trading Act at
a level that will enable England to meet its obligations , as a
contribution to the UK Landfill Directive targets .
2. Further information on the final allocation of landfill allowances and
the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme can be found at:
<http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/lats/index.htm>www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/lats/index.htm.
END
Public Enquiries: 08459 335577
Press Notices available via Defra website
www.defra.gov.uk
Defra's aim is sustainable development
James Watson
Tel. 01335 372788
Fax. 01335 372187
Mob. 0794-150-7688
Gary Liss
916-652-7850
Fax: 916-652-0485
www.garyliss.com
|