The Directive has been implemented through the introduction of the Landfill Regulations (2002) and it's subsequent amendments. The primary objective of the directive is to reduce the quantity of waste disposed of to landfill. This is being driven by a number of key changes to waste disposal practices in the UK.

  • A number of wastes are banned from landfill, including certain hazardous wastes, liquids, and tyres - this is being phased in between 2002 and 2007.
  • Hazardous and non-hazardous wastes must be disposed of separately; this has terminated practice of co-disposal (the landfilling of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes in the same site).
  • The requirement for the pre-treatment of wastes prior to landfill has been introduced. This is already a requirement for hazardous wastes, and will be implemented for non-hazardous wastes over the next two to three years.
  • The concept of waste assessment in order to allocate a European Waste Catalogue (EWC) code number to wastes is now a legislative requirement.
  • The latest amendment to the regulations requires the use of complex 'Waste Acceptance Criteria' (WAC) to determine the suitability of wastes for landfill. It also requires a comprehensive sampling and testing regime to be followed for all wastes destined for landfill. This is to be fully implemented by July 2005.
  • The WAC also requires that gypsum based wastes be segregated form general biodegradable wastes at the landfill in a seperate landfill cell.