As part of the European Landfill Directive (Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002), from 30th October 2007, non-hazardous waste must be treated before it can be sent to landfill in England and Wales. Similar regulations have been in place in Scotland since March 2007 (Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003).
The legal definition of treatment requires three things (the ‘three-point test’):
- It must be a physical, thermal, chemical or biological process including sorting.
- It must change the characteristics of the waste.
- It must do so in order to:
- reduce its volume, or
- reduce its hazardous nature, or
- facilitate its handling, or
- enhance its recovery.
Treatment is intended to encourage us to recycle more and reduce the impact of the land-filling on our health and the environment.
There are some, very limited, exceptions to the need for treatment because there are sometimes no treatments available that would contribute towards the aim of the regulations. These exceptions are:
- Inert waste for which treatment is not technically feasible.
- Waste other than inert waste and treatment would not reduce its quantity or the hazards that it poses to human health or the environment.
What Does This Mean to You?
As a waste producer, you are not obligated to treat your own waste yourself. All waste loads collected by Countrywide Waste Management are treated and the vast majority is recycled or reused. If you use Countrywide Waste Management, you will be unaffected by these regulations.
More help and guidance is available from Countrywide Waste Management on 0845 230 5566 or by going directly to the link below:
http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/pdf/GEHO0207BLWJ-e-e.pdf
