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Cost of landfill PDF Print E-mail
Green
Written by Graham Gardner   
Tuesday, 24 March 2009 12:24

The cost of burying waste in the ground increases on Wednesday April 1st by £8 to £40 per tonne.

Although some recyclables are now worth less because of the economic downturn, it’s still much better value for taxpayers’ money to recycle and compost as much waste as possible, rather than landfill it.

Based on projected figures, the Landfill Tax bill for the new financial year could reach 6.8 million pounds - an extra 1.4 million pounds compared to the previous year.

In addition to this, councils are facing fines of £150 for every tonne of biodegradable waste above the permitted allowance that is buried underground, and this allowance reduces year on year.

Councillor Stan Waddington, Cabinet member for the Environment at Gloucestershire County Council said: “The latest Landfill Tax rise only increases the need to find alternatives to landfill.  We need a solution to this problem which is not only less harmful to the environment, but much more cost effective.

“This Landfill Tax ‘escalator’ is putting huge pressure on council budgets.  With another £8 increase due in April 2010, Landfill Tax will have doubled in just 3 years.

“Unfortunately the government isn’t handing this money back, so local councils can invest in recycling.  In Gloucestershire we are aiming to recycle and compost at least 60 per cent of household waste by 2020. 

"However in order to achieve this we need to increase the range of recyclable and compostable materials that are collected door to door within the County.”

Last Updated on Thursday, 02 April 2009 15:56