Legislation
Every tonne of material recycled reduces collection, transportation and disposal costs. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
The European Union’s Landfill Directive and the government’s subsequent Waste Implementation Programme requires local authorities across the UK to:
- by 2010 - reduce biodegradable municipal waste landfilled to 75% of that produced in 1995
- by 2013 - reduce biodegradable municipal waste landfilled to 50% of that produced in 1995
- by 2020 - reduce biodegradable municipal waste landfilled to 35% of that produced in 1995
These targets must be achieved using the Waste Hierarchy, which states that authorities should reduce, reuse, recycle and recover energy from their waste. The last resort is landfilling. Many are now working towards zero waste to landfill targets.
Similarly, commercial organisations are also under increasing pressure to put in place sustainable waste management programmes, recycling more of their waste and cutting their carbon emissions.
For many, putting in place a comprehensive recycling and waste management programme will:
- ensure compliance with essential waste legislation
- reduce landfill tax costs
- generate an income from resource value
- have a positive impact on environmental practices
The following pages explain how Casepak’s services can help you to comply with essential waste legislation:
