London - Changes are being considered to the way waste going to landfill in the UK is classified. The existing approach predominantly focuses on waste collected by local authorities from households. The new classification would include more waste, to help address the environmental impacts of waste regardless of its source. The change will bring the UK approach into line with that of a number of other European Member States.

In practice it will not mean that any additional waste will be sent to landfill. It is simply a change in the way the information is recorded, which will show a significant increase in the amount of waste to landfill that is reported within the ‘municipal waste’ category. As a result the landfill diversion targets that the UK is required to meet under the EU Landfill Directive are expected to increase by the same proportion to reflect the inclusion of the additional commercial waste. It is not expected that this will impact on the UK’s ability to meet these targets and we remain on course to meet the 2010 target.

Local authorities will not be required to manage this additional waste, which is currently dealt with by private sector waste management companies.

Defra will consult on the implications of this change early next year.

More information can be found at defra.gov.uk.

Quelle: Department of Environment, Food and Rurail Affairs

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