Legislation

Traditionally, the UK has been heavily reliant on landfill. Of a total 28.2 million tonnes of municipal waste produced in 2000/01, 79% (about 23 million tonnes) was land-filled. The waste we produce in the UK is growing by about 3% every year. This is more than the growth in GDP (2-2.5%) and one of the fastest European growth rates for waste.

The Waste Framework Directive

The EU directive has been fundamental in designing national policies and plans that move the UK away from its dependence on landfill and promote other recycling options including AD.

The Landfill Directive

This directive enforces the diversion of biodegradable Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) from landfill, with the UK targeted to achieve a reduction to 35% of its 1995 landfill levels by 2020.

The Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS)

Local Authorities that do not meet their targets to divert biodegradable MSW from landfill will be fined for every tonne by which they exceed their allowance.

Renewables Obligation

This places an obligation on electricity suppliers to source a proportion of their energy from renewable resources.