All Local Authorities In Wales Meet Waste Targets For 2010-11
2 September 2011
The Landfill Allowances Scheme report, released this week Environment Agency Wales, shows that all 22 local authorities in Wales have successfully met waste targets for diverting biodegradable waste from landfill
As a whole, Wales used less than three quarters (73 percent) of its maximum landfill quota for biodegradable municipal waste.
The Landfill Allowances Scheme, launched in October 2004, is designed to help Wales meet its obligations under the EU Landfill Directive, which aims to cap the amount of biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill at 50 percent of the 1995 figure by 2013, and 35 percent of the 1995 figure by 2020.
Due to its production of methane when landfilled, food waste is a key priority in Wales' waste strategy Towards Zero Waste and the Welsh Government funds Waste Awareness Wales, which works closely with Welsh local authorities to help them encourage people to reduce their waste.
Unlike elsewhere in the UK, every council in Wales runs a kerbside food waste collection, which will cover nine out of ten households by the end of the year. Food collected in this way is then composted or treated using anaerobic digestion to create biogas, which can be used as a fuel.
Welsh Government environment minister John Griffiths has welcomed the report, saying:
"Today's report is good news for Wales, and I want to congratulate Welsh councils and residents for their efforts to prevent waste and to dispose of unavoidable waste as sustainably as possible. "
"I particularly want to highlight the success of Wales' food waste collections and thank householders for the enthusiastic way in which they have embraced these schemes. Separating out your food waste is easy, hygienic and could help you save money, so I urge everyone to get involved."
Environment Agency Wales director Chris Mills said: "Reducing waste sent to landfill clearly has its environmental benefits. It helps cut down greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Sending waste to more sustainable options other than landfill also ensures more efficient use of our natural resources and significant carbon savings."
WLGA Environment spokesperson, Councillor Dyfed Edwards, said: "The LAS report is a further indication of the progress being made by local authorities across Wales in their waste services. Authorities have been introducing food waste collections and these have helped to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste sent to landfill."
"Importantly this has also brought home to residents how much food they throw away. Over time, by changing their buying habits this is helping them to prevent waste, save money and help the environment".
Darrel Moore
