EU legislation set to have a dramatic effect on UK waste costs

Over the past ten years we have seen the introduction by Government of numerous pieces of environmental legislation such as 'Duty of Care' and Landfill Tax. The aim being to encourage businesses to adopt sound environmental practice within the polluter pays principle framework.

2005 represents even greater challenges for business in managing the impact on the overall cost of service set to increase due to new European Legislation. The updated legislation is as follows:

Increase in Landfill Tax

The Government Landfill Tax Levy will increase by £3.00 per tonne from £15.00 to £18.00 per tonne on all active wastes with effect from the 1st April 2005. The Landfill Tax is set to continue on a £3.00 per tonne, per year escalator, to achieve the target of around £35.00 per tonne by 2009 - 2010. The intention of this increase is to bring the UK in line with the Landfill Tax levels found elsewhere in Europe. Inert waste will remain unaffected at £2.00 per tonne.

Implementation of the Landfill Regulations

Simultaneously, the general cost of disposal is increasing due to the implementation of the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002, introduced to implement the EU Landfill Directive. This legislation places additional financial burdens on operators with regard to operational and compliance costs. Focusing significantly on financial provisions, restoration and aftercare requirements, thus resulting in an overall reduction in available landfill operators and capacity.

Road Transport Directives

Furthermore, the UK transport industry faces the fresh challenge of operating within The Road Transport (working time) Regulations 2005, which will be effective from 23rd March 2005. This legislation regulates and effectively reduces the number of permitted hours worked by HGV/LGV drivers. Therefore, these changes are set to have a considerable effect upon waste disposal costs, as the transport element of the cost for a skip is already the most significant.

What Wastefile can UK do to help

Wastefile UK continue to work closely with its service provider network to reduce the impact of these increases on to our clients and have successfully negotiated increases to be applied from 28th March.

The implementation of the Landfill Directive
Practical implications of the Landfill Directive
The Road Transport Directive