It is illegal for a landfill operator to accept untreated or liquid waste and waste with a total organic carbon (TOC) content of more than 6% waste. This is an opportunity for businesses to get better at reducing, sorting and recycling their waste.
Summary
The Landfill Directive is improving the way we manage waste by diverting it away from landfill. Recent changes in legislation mean it's illegal for a landfill operator to accept untreated or liquid waste. Hazardous waste with a total organic carbon (TOC) content of more than 6% is also unacceptable to landfill. This is an opportunity for businesses to get better at reducing, sorting and recycling their waste
Recent changes
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Liquid wastes are banned from landfill
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Waste must be treated before it can be landfilled
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Hazardous waste with a total organic carbon (TOC) content of more than six per cent is no longer accepted for landfill.
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We have updated the chemical analysis assessment section in WM2. This will align it with chemicals legislation for the assessment of H14 (ecotoxicity) and provide clarification on the direct testing of waste.
Upcoming changes
- All mixing pits for mixing and treating hazardous wastes must cease operating from 10 November 2008. Businesses that produce hazardous wastes with high TOC or send their wastes to mixing pits should talk to their waste contractors about alternative management options.
Who will these changes affect?
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Any business that produces waste may be affected. Your waste collector, or the disposal site you take your waste to may ask you to do things like separate recyclables.
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Any business that collects, treats, recycles waste or manages a landfill site is likely to be affected.
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send their wastes to mixing pits will be affected. Talk to your waste contractors about alternative management options.
What you must do
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You must only pass your waste on to someone who is registered with the Environment Agency as an authorised waste carrier. You have to do this as part of your Duty of Care.
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You must dispose of your hazardous waste legally.
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You must ensure that part of your waste is recycled or treated in some way.
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Tell your waste collector (or waste site) if you have treated any of your waste. A pre-treatment form must be completed.
How the EA regulate these new rules
Landfill operators monitor the waste coming to them. The EA will look at their records to see what waste has been received. They will be able to track waste back to its source to see whether it's being treated and handled properly.
The EA can take enforcement action against people that fly tip or dump waste which can result in a fine of up to £50,000. They will prosecute anyone who gives their waste to a person who is not registered with them as a waste carrier.