The amount of waste we produce both from our homes and in industry makes the UK vulnerable to the impacts of landfill expansion.


The Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 came into force on 15 June 2002. This implemented the European Landfill Directive (Council Directive 1999/31/EC), which aims to prevent or reduce as far as possible, the negative environmental effects of land filling waste. The regulation is having a major impact on waste regulation in most industry sectors of the UK. It is also a giant step towards waste minimization and increased levels of recycling and recovery.


The Directive's overall aim is "to prevent or reduce as far as possible negative effects on the environment, in particular the pollution of surface water, groundwater, soil and air, and on the global environment, including the greenhouse effect, as well as any resulting risk to human health, from the landfilling of waste, during the whole life-cycle of the landfill".


More information on: Landfill Directive