01 September 2008
Every council in Wales has met its waste target for 2007- 2008 for the amount of biodegradable waste it sends to landfill.
Figures published today by the Landfill Allowances Scheme (LAS) show that for the fourth consecutive year local authorities have not only met their annual allocation for waste sent to landfill but have narrowed the gap in terms of achieving the Landfill Directive Target year of 2009-10.
Cllr Aled Roberts (Wrexham), WLGA Environment Spokesperson said:
“This is a significant achievement for Welsh councils and continues the trend we have seen in previous years. Waste leaders have embraced waste management as a number one priority and joined forces to tackle significant waste pressures by looking at waste reduction, recycling collections and the treatment and collection of food waste. Today’s figures show that our waste management strategies are working and councils’ commitment to encouraging a cultural shift in consumer behaviour is paying off with the public clearly making increasing use of the services available to them and sending less to landfill.”
“This year’s figures have put local authorities in an excellent position to exceed the first Landfill Directive target in 2009-2010 and avoid stringent fines of up to £200 per tonne by the Welsh Assembly Government and £0.5m per day from Europe. Councils must continue to build on their progress and continually improve their waste reduction performance by looking at every feasible option.”
“Waste continues to be a huge priority for every council in Wales, particularly as we look ahead to the second directive target year of 2013 and even further ahead to 2025. Whilst councils are aiming high for the future, they are also realistic about what is achievable in these financially challenging times. The WLGA will continue to meet with the Assembly Government to ensure that local government’s voice is heard when it comes to the long term funding for waste.”
Environment Agency Wales has produced the report in its role as monitoring authority for the Landfill Allowances Scheme. A full copy of the report is available at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/regions/wales/816243/868002/1166665/?version=1&lang=_e
Notes to Editor
• The Landfill Allowances Scheme (LAS) in Wales covers the period 1st April 2007 to 31st March 2008.
• The Landfill allocation for Welsh councils for the 2009-10 target year is 710k tonnes of biodegradable waste. During 2007-2008 Welsh councils sent 680,912 tonnes to landfill- 4% under the allocation
For more information contact: Natasha Weeks