Knowledge Hub
Landfill Tax
As we are all too aware the UK Government has been increasing pressure on waste producers to reduce and dispose of their waste in an environmentally sensitive way. This increased pressure comes from the introduction of landfill tax.
The introduction of a new tax on landfill was proposed by the Conservative Chancellor, Kenneth Clarke, in his budget in November 1994. He argued that the tax would achieve the twin objectives of raising money and protecting the environment, without imposing new costs on business.
Since landfill was introduced, the cost to businesses has risen year on year. In April 2007 the then Chancellor, Gordon Brown announced in his budget speech that landfill tax would rise each year by £8 per tonne. This means that landfill tax will cost our businesses a whopping £104 from April 2017!
So, landfill is not our cheapest option anymore. Businesses need to develop a strategy that can not only reduce their landfill commitments, but to also increase their bottom line.
Recycling initiatives have become more and more popular. Making it more financially attractive for the waste industry to invest in new innovative wast treatment methods.
Waste Management Legislation 2011
Disposing of waste can be a complicated process for businesses. Particularly since the Waste Management Regulations 2011 came into effect. Reduce – Reuse – Recycling has become a familiar phrase within industry.
The EU has also created a hierarchy to the legislation which puts greater pressure on businesses to manage their waste in a responsible way.
There are more steps to consider when dealing with waste than ever before, which include;
Prevention
- Consider how you can prevent waste in the first place? Is there a better way of working which means no waste is generated?
- Preparation for Reuse
- Can something be reused or handed on to another business or charity so they can use it? Laptops for example. The memory can be completely wiped so the laptop can be handed on.
Recycling
- There are more and more materials that can be recycled. A small change in materials you use, may result in higher recycling targets being achieved.
- Recovery
- Are there any precious metals? For fluorescent lighting for example, the glass, metal and mercury can all be recovered and recycled.
- Disposal
- And finally disposal. Can you dispose of your waste via an Energy from Waste facility?
There's an Orwak solution for every waste type
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