Waste Arising in the UK

Estimated total annual waste arisings by sector 2004

Landfill has been the traditional way of dealing with a high proportion of the industrial, commercial and household waste produced in the UK. However the waste industry is generally undergoing substantial changes forced upon it by legislation, pressure from customers to “green up” and an ever more environmentally aware public. They are having to change from being essentially logistics companies operating landfill sites, to recyclers and extractors of value from waste. It is a steep learning curve for many. The EU Landfill Directive is a key piece of legislation that dictates what can and cannot be landfilled and sets targets for landfill reduction.

The market is undergoing great changes, from one where waste was a nuisance and the problem was buried to one where landfilling is seen as unacceptable and the waste is seen as a potentially valuable resource.

Key Facts about: Waste and Recycling

Municipal Waste Management Statistics